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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Former Naver CEO Han Duck-soo nominated as South Korea's Prime Minister

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Han Duck-soo, former Naver CEO, has been nominated as South Korea's second Prime Minister under President Lee Jae-myung.
  • Han is recognized as an IT and administrative expert, having led Naver from 2017 to 2022 and previously served as Minister of SMEs and Startups.
  • The business community has welcomed the nomination, citing her practical and innovative approach to policy.

Han Duck-soo, a former CEO of Naver and the incumbent Minister of SMEs and Startups, has been nominated as South Korea's second Prime Minister under President Lee Jae-myung's administration. Han is widely regarded as an information technology and administrative expert, with a career that includes being the first female CEO of Naver and a significant role in government.

Thank you for the great results. Thanks to you, the path to becoming a practical startup-centered country is opening.

— Lee Jae-myungPresident Lee Jae-myung's message of gratitude to Han Duck-soo via social media regarding her work as Minister of SMEs and Startups.

Born in 1967, Han began her career as a journalist before co-founding Empas in 1997. She joined Naver in 2007, rising through the ranks to become CEO in 2017, a position she held until 2022. During her tenure, Naver's revenue grew from 4.6 trillion to 6.8 trillion Korean won, earning her a spot on Fortune magazine's list of the 'World's 50 Most Influential Women Leaders' for four consecutive years.

As Minister of SMEs and Startups since July of last year, Han has been praised for her hands-on approach, frequently visiting businesses and listening to their concerns. A key achievement was her shift in policy focus from "protection-centered" to "growth-centered," exemplified by the "Startup for All" project. This initiative, aimed at nurturing national startup talent, attracted over 63,000 applicants, setting a record for government public offerings.

Han is a proven economic leader who has connected the practicality and innovation of the private sector with the policy implementation of the government, and a hands-on leader who has led digital transformation and technological innovation.

— Economic Organizations (e.g., Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, Venture Business Association)Statement from business groups welcoming Han Duck-soo's nomination as Prime Minister.

The business community has largely welcomed Han's nomination. Economic organizations, including the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association and the Korea Venture Business Association, issued statements praising her as a "proven economic leader" who has effectively connected private sector practicality and innovation with government policy implementation. They also highlighted her experience in leading digital transformation and technological innovation, noting that her appointment is a significant milestone for women entrepreneurs.

This nomination will be a meaningful milestone for women entrepreneurs as well.

— Economic OrganizationsStatement from business groups on the significance of Han Duck-soo's nomination.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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