Han Seongsook Named South Korea's First Female Prime Minister In Two Decades
Appointment marks a major milestone for women in South Korean politics.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seongsook, the country's minister for small and midsize businesses and startups and former chief executive of internet giant Naver, as the nation's next prime minister. If confirmed by the National Assembly, the 59-year-old will become South Korea's first female prime minister in nearly two decades and only the second woman to hold the position after Han Myeong-sook, who served from 2006 to 2007.
Announcing the nomination in Seoul, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said Han was chosen because of her extensive experience in both the technology sector and public administration. He noted that South Korea is entering a period in which artificial intelligence is expected to play a transformative role in the economy, making her background particularly relevant to the government's priorities.
Kang said Han's leadership experience as the head of a major technology company and her work as SMEs minister positioned her to guide the country's transition into the AI era while promoting inclusive economic growth. He described her as a leader capable of ensuring that the benefits of technological advancement are shared broadly across society rather than concentrated among a limited group.
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Han is widely regarded as one of South Korea's most influential technology executives. A graduate of Sookmyung Women's University with a degree in English language and literature, she began her career as a technology reporter before moving into the internet industry. She later joined Empas, one of the country's early internet portal companies, where she played a key role in developing its search business.
In 2007, Han joined Naver and steadily rose through the company's leadership ranks. She served in several senior roles before becoming Naver's first female chief executive in 2017. During her tenure, she oversaw the company's expansion in artificial intelligence and digital services. After stepping down as CEO in 2022, she led Naver's European business development efforts and later served as an adviser to the company and chair of the Korea Internet Enterprise Association. She subsequently entered government, launching initiatives such as the “Startup for Everyone Project” aimed at fostering innovation and business growth.
Han's nomination comes as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is expected to resign to pursue the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party. With President Lee's party holding a majority in the 300-member National Assembly, political observers expect Han's confirmation to proceed smoothly unless significant ethical or political concerns emerge during the review process. Her appointment would mark a milestone for women's representation in South Korean politics while placing a prominent technology leader at the centre of the country's economic transformation agenda.
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