South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the minister for small and midsize businesses and startups, as the country's next prime minister. The nomination follows a dominant performance by Lee's party in local elections held on Wednesday.
If approved by parliament, the 58-year-old Han would become South Korea's first female prime minister in 20 years and the nation's second female premier overall. A former chief executive of internet giant Naver Corp., Han's appointment elevates a technology executive to one of the country's highest political posts.
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik stated that Han is expected to lead the country's AI transformation, citing her AI policy experience. Kang noted that Han will be tasked with transforming economic growth, currently driven by rising exports and the semiconductor boom, into inclusive growth that reaches small and medium-sized enterprises.
Under South Korea's presidential system, the role of prime minister is largely administrative and ceremonial.