Startup Minister Han Seong-sook tapped to serve as next prime minister

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has selected Han Seong-sook, the current minister for SMEs and startups, to serve as the nation's next prime minister. The announcement was made by Blue House chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, who stated Han is expected to lead the country through its "generational mission of the AI transformation."

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Han is expected to use her experience as the head of an IT giant and as the minister of SMEs and startups to smoothly complete the generational mission of the AI transformation, and is thought to be the best candidate who will ensure growth for all in South Korea, instead of a select few.

Kang highlighted Han's background, noting her rise from an "ordinary office worker" to the head of a "prominent IT giant." He expressed confidence that her "innovative spirit and experience as SME minister" would foster economic growth that "benefits everyone, including small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and local businesses," moving beyond the current boom driven by semiconductors and exports.

Han's career includes significant roles in South Korea's tech industry. She began as a journalist before co-founding the web portal Empas. Later, at NHN (Naver's precursor), she was recognized for initiatives like monetizing Naver's webtoon service and developing Naver Pay. She made history in 2017 as the first woman to become CEO of Naver, a position she held for five years.

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Han is a self-made leader who began her career as an ordinary office worker before rising through the ranks to become the head of a prominent IT giant.

The nomination requires confirmation from the National Assembly through a hearing and a plenary vote. If approved, Han Seong-sook will become the second woman to hold the prime minister's office in South Korea, following Han Myeong-sook in 2006. The outgoing prime minister, Kim Min-seok, is reportedly planning to run for leader of the Democratic Party.

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If we combine Han’s innovative spirit and experience as SME minister, alongside this opportunity to become prime minister, we will be able to transform the growth of the Korean economy, currently driven by the semiconductor boom and rising exports, into growth that benefits everyone, including small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and local businesses.