From Journalist to Tech Leader: Han Seong-sook Nominated as South Korea's Prime Minister to Drive AI Transformation

(Central News Agency, Seoul, 7th, Comprehensive Foreign News) South Korea's Minister of SMEs and Startups, Han Seong-sook, was nominated as Prime Minister today. As the country pushes for an innovation-driven growth model and accelerates the integration of AI into all aspects of the economy, this appointment brings one of South Korea's most renowned tech industry executives to the core of the government.

According to The Korea Times, Han Seong-sook built her career in the tech industry before entering government. Born in 1967, she graduated from Sookmyung Women's University with a degree in English Literature and began her career as an IT publication journalist.

Han joined the portal site Empas as a founding member in 1997. She later held various senior executive positions at NHN and NAVER, including head of the search business division and head of NAVER's service division.

In 2017, Han became NAVER's first female CEO. During her five-year tenure, she expanded NAVER's business scope from its traditional search engine business into e-commerce, content, and platform services, successfully driving the company's growth.

After stepping down as CEO in 2022, Han served as the head of NAVER's European business development. She retired from the company in March 2025 but continues to serve as an advisor to NAVER.

Han's leadership of "Project Flower" at NAVER was highly acclaimed. The project, aimed at supporting small business owners and content creators, is credited with facilitating the digital transformation of small merchants and strengthening South Korea's platform-based business ecosystem.

According to The Korea Herald, Han also served as the chairman of the Korea Internet Corporations Association. She subsequently entered government as Minister of SMEs and Startups, during which she promoted a national startup initiative and sought to shift the ministry's policy focus from protection and support to growth and expansion.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the nomination today, stating that Han has the ability to achieve economic growth that benefits the entire nation. He said she "possesses the pragmatism and innovative spirit of the private sector and understands better than anyone that our society urgently needs a major transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI)."

Kang also highlighted Han's performance as Minister of SMEs, noting her emphasis on speed, results, on-site communication with businesses, and her dedication to supporting SMEs, startups, and small business owners.

According to the presidential office, Han delivered concrete results during her tenure, including record-high exports by SMEs and efforts to strengthen the startup ecosystem.

If confirmed by the National Assembly, the 59-year-old Han will become South Korea's second female prime minister. The first was Han Myeong-sook, who served under President Roh Moo-hyun from 2006 to 2007.

When asked if Han was selected because she is a woman, Kang responded that the government's personnel decisions are "based entirely on ability and talent." He added, "If you ask why a woman was chosen, I think it's not an appropriate question to ask in 2026."

President Lee Jae-myung is expected to further explain the reasons for nominating Han at a press conference marking his first anniversary in office tomorrow.

Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, analyzed that the nomination of Han is a signal that President Lee intends to strengthen his control over state affairs.

"Minister Han is not a long-time politician. This shows the president's intention to take on a more direct governing role and position himself at the forefront of policy-making," Shin told The Korea Times today. "This nomination can be seen as an expression of that determination."

Current Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is expected to step down and run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party at its convention later this year. (Edited by Yang Zhaoyan) 1150607