President Lee Nominates Han Sung-sook as New Prime Minister, Puts 'AI Transformation and Growth for All' Front and Center

Prime Minister Nominee with Experience as Naver CEO
First Female Prime Minister in 20 Years Since Han Myeong-sook Expected
Second-Year Governance Focus Shifts from 'Recovery' to 'Major Leap Forward'
Kim Min-seok Expected to Run for Party Le

On June 7, President Lee Jae-myung nominated Han Sung-sook, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, as the successor to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. By appointing a minister with a background as a private-sector digital entrepreneur and former CEO of Naver to the second-highest position in the cabinet, the personnel move is interpreted as a message that, in the second year of his administration, President Lee will focus his governance on an AI-driven transformation and the broad dissemination of economic growth achievements.

President Lee Jae-myung is asking questions to Sung Sook Han, Minister of SMEs and Startups, at the National Startup Era Strategy Meeting titled 'K-Startup Creates the Future' held at the Blue House on January 30, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, announced at a briefing at the Blue House that day, "Today, President Lee has nominated Han Sung-sook, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, as the new Prime Minister candidate." Kang described Han as "the right person to fully accomplish the era-defining mission of an AI-driven transformation based on her experience as the CEO of an IT company and as Minister of SMEs and Startups, and to lead the growth of all of South Korea, not just a select few."

This appointment is strongly characterized as that of an "AI Prime Minister." While the Lee Jae-myung administration, during its first year, emphasized overcoming domestic unrest and economic recovery, in its second year, it is interpreted as intending to focus national capacity on spreading the semiconductor boom and export growth to SMEs, small business owners, and local commercial districts. Kang also stated, "If the candidate's innovative spirit, experience as Minister of SMEs and Startups, and the opportunity to serve as Prime Minister are combined, the growth of the Korean economy driven by the semiconductor boom and export growth can be transformed into growth for all, including SMEs, small business owners, and local commercial districts."

Han is a leading businessperson who rose through private digital platform enterprises. She began her career as a reporter for a computer magazine, joined Empas as a founding member, then moved to NHN, the predecessor of Naver, gaining experience in search, service, and commerce fields. In 2017, she became the first female CEO of Naver and served as CEO until 2022. The Blue House described Han as "a leader whose career journeyed from an ordinary office worker to the head of a leading digital company."

There is also the symbolism of appointing a female prime minister. If Han passes the National Assembly's confirmation hearing and the appointment approval process, she will become the first female Prime Minister in about 20 years since former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook. However, the Blue House emphasized that the appointment is based primarily on ability and competence, rather than simply on gender. When asked whether her gender was a consideration, Kang replied, "Our government's personnel policy is strictly based on ability and competence," adding, "If you ask why a woman, I don't think that's a suitable question in 2026."

Han's first hurdle will be the National Assembly's confirmation process. Since the Prime Minister must receive parliamentary approval, Han is expected to face scrutiny of both her policy capabilities and integrity during the hearing. Regarding questions about Han's real estate holdings, Kang stated, "There will be a detailed explanation during the confirmation process." The opposition party is likely to examine issues such as the process by which she built her wealth, her real estate holdings, and the controversy over market dominance during her tenure as CEO of a platform company.

The Blue House and cabinet reshuffle are also expected to proceed in line with the administration's plans for its second year. There is speculation inside and outside the Blue House that President Lee will begin by filling the vacant positions of Blue House Chief of AI Future Planning and Vice Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, and will also replace several key Blue House aides and ministers in three to four cabinet positions.

Kang said, "Beyond recovery and normalization, we are reviewing everything with a focus on what is necessary for the national task of achieving a great leap forward." He continued, "We are also deeply considering the sentiments expressed by the public in this election, as well as what the public expects from the government, what is evaluated positively, and what is seen as lacking," adding, "Appointments such as the Vice Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee and others are being prepared and will be announced soon." This statement leaves open the possibility of reorganizing the Blue House staff and parts of the cabinet to reflect public sentiment following the local elections.

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, is taking questions after announcing at a press conference at the Blue House on the 7th that President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, as the new Prime Minister candidate. June 7, 2026. Photo by Blue House Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

The future steps of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok are also a focus of political interest. The Blue House praised Kim, stating, "As the first Prime Minister under the Lee Jae-myung administration, he led the country in overcoming internal unrest and spearheaded Korea's recovery," and "It would not be an exaggeration to say that the achievements of the past year under the Lee administration are essentially those of Prime Minister Kim." The Blue House further urged, "As the Prime Minister who opened the door to the government's popular sovereignty, we hope he will share his experience and wisdom with his successor."

There is speculation that Kim may run in the Democratic Party's national convention in August. Regarding this, Kang said, "We cannot state an official position on Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's future moves, as those will be his personal decisions." However, within the ruling party, there are expectations that if Kim steps down as Prime Minister and enters the race for party leadership, it will coincide with the Lee administration's second-year governance and changes in the ruling party's leadership structure.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.