SMEs Minister Han Seong-sook tapped as new PM

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Sunday, announcing President Lee Jae Myung’s nomination of Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook as prime minister. Joint Press Corps

Han Seong-sook, minister of SMEs and startups / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, the current minister of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups and a former Naver chief executive, to serve as Korea’s next prime minister.

The nomination places one of the country’s most prominent tech executives at the center of the Lee administration’s efforts to promote innovation-led growth and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the economy.

Before entering government, Han built her career in the tech sector, becoming the first woman to serve as CEO of Naver — one of Korea's largest internet companies — in 2017. She also held positions as senior vice president overseeing services at Naver and head of the search business division at Empas. Han graduated from Sookmyung Women's University with a degree in English language and literature.

Announcing the nomination, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik described Han as a leader capable of delivering growth that benefits the entire nation.

“We expect her to be the right person to lead growth not for only part of the population, but for all of Korea,” Kang said, calling Han a self-made leader with a strong record of achievement.

“Han combines the practicality and innovative spirit of the private sector and understands better than anyone the need for a major AI-driven transformation in our society,” he added.

Kang also highlighted Han’s performance as SMEs minister, saying she has emphasized speed, results and engagement with businesses on the ground while working to support SMEs, startups and small business owners.

According to the presidential office, during her tenure she helped deliver tangible achievements, including record-high exports by SMEs and efforts to strengthen Korea’s startup ecosystem.

If confirmed in a parliamentary hearing, Han would become Korea's second female prime minister. Han Myeong-sook was the country's first female prime minister, serving in the role from 2006 to 2007 under the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

When asked whether Han's gender was a factor in her selection, Kang said the administration's personnel decisions are "based strictly on competence and ability," adding, "If you're asking why a woman was chosen, I don't think that's an appropriate question to ask in 2026."

President Lee was expected to elaborate on the rationale behind Han’s nomination during a press briefing commemorating his first year in office, slated for Monday.

Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, interpreted Han's appointment as a signal of Lee’s intention to exercise stronger control over state affairs.

“Minister Han is not someone with a long political career,” Shin told The Korea Times Sunday. “That suggests the president intends to take a more direct role in governing and to place himself at the forefront of policymaking. The nomination can be seen as an expression of that determination.”