South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the current Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as the country’s next Prime Minister.
Announcing the nomination, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik praised Han’s extensive experience in the technology sector, saying she is well placed to lead South Korea’s transition into the artificial intelligence era and to drive inclusive economic growth.
If approved by the National Assembly, Han would become the first female Prime Minister under the Lee administration and only the second woman to hold the post in South Korea’s history, after Han Myeong-sook, who served from 2006 to 2007.
Before entering government, Han served as chief executive officer of Naver, South Korea’s leading internet portal company, and spent most of her career in the technology and digital industry. She assumed her current ministerial role when the Lee administration took office.
The nomination comes as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the first prime minister of the Lee administration, is reportedly stepping down from the post.
