South Korea nominates Han as country's first female prime minister in two decades

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  • 07 June, 2026
  • 13:27
South Korea nominates Han as country's first female prime minister in two decades

South Korean President Lee Jae ​Myung has chosen Han Seongsook, ‌the country's minister for small and midsize businesses and startups, to be prime ​minister, the presidential office ​said on Sunday.

If approved by parliament, ⁠Han would become South Korea's ​first female prime minister in 20 ​years.

Han, who had also previously served as chief executive of South Korean internet giant ​Naver, is expected to lead ​the country's AI transformation, South Korea's presidential chief ‌of ⁠staff Kang Hoon-sik said at a press briefing.

"Han will be able to transform South Korea's economic growth - ​driven by ​the ⁠semiconductor boom and rising exports - into inclusive growth that ​reaches everyone, including small ​and ⁠medium-sized enterprises," Kang said.

The role of prime minister is largely ceremonial and administrative ⁠under ​South Korea's presidential ​system.