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 Leadership

On June 7, President Lee Jae-myung nominated Han Sung-sook, 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 decision is interpreted as a message that, in the second year of his administration, President Lee intends to place a strong focus on a major transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and on spreading the benefits of growth.

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

At a briefing at the Blue House, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, announced, "Today, President Lee nominated Han Sung-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, as the candidate for Prime Minister." Kang described Han as "the right person to successfully lead the era-defining transition to AI, not just for a segment of the population but for the entire Republic of Korea, based on her experience as CEO of an IT company and as Minister of SMEs and Startups."

This appointment is strongly characterized as that of an "AI Prime Minister." While the Lee Jae-myung administration placed overcoming internal strife and restoring livelihoods and the economy at the forefront in its first year, in the second year, its intention is interpreted as a shift to focusing national efforts on expanding the semiconductor boom and export growth to SMEs, small business owners, and neighborhood economies. Kang also stated, "If the candidate's innovative mindset, her 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 increased exports, can be translated into growth for all—including SMEs, small business owners, and local businesses."

Han is a prominent entrepreneur who rose through the ranks of private digital platform companies. She began her career as a journalist at a computer-focused magazine, joined Empas as a founding member, and later moved to NHN, the predecessor of Naver, where she worked in search, service, and commerce. In 2017, she became the first woman to serve as CEO of Naver, holding the position until 2022. The Blue House described Han as "an iconic leader who started as an ordinary office worker and rose to head a leading digital company."

There is also symbolic significance in her nomination as a female Prime Minister. If Han passes the National Assembly's confirmation hearing and receives approval, she will become the first female Prime Minister in about 20 years, following former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook. However, the Blue House emphasized that this appointment is based on ability and merit, rather than simply on being a woman. When asked whether Han's gender was a consideration, Kang responded, "Our administration’s personnel policy is strictly based on ability and merit. If you ask why a woman was chosen, I don't think that's an appropriate question in 2026."

The first hurdle for Han will be the National Assembly’s confirmation process. As the Prime Minister requires parliamentary approval, her policy competence and ethics will undergo simultaneous scrutiny during the hearings. In response to questions about Han’s real estate holdings, Kang stated, "There will be a detailed explanation during the confirmation process." The opposition party is expected to examine the candidate’s asset accumulation, real estate ownership, and allegations of market monopoly during her tenure as CEO of a platform company.

The Blue House and a cabinet reshuffle are also expected to proceed in line with the second-year governance plan. There is speculation both inside and outside the Blue House that President Lee will begin by filling the vacant positions of Chief of AI Future Strategy and Vice Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, and will replace some key Blue House aides and ministers in three to four ministries.

Kang said, "We are thoroughly reviewing everything with a focus on what is needed for the national agenda of recovery, normalization, and a major leap forward." He added, "We are also giving serious thought to the public opinion shown in the recent elections, comprehensively considering what the people expect from the government, what they evaluate positively, and what they find lacking. Several appointments, including the Vice Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, are being prepared and will be announced soon." His comments leave the possibility open that the Blue House staff and some cabinet members may be reorganized to reflect the public sentiment following the local elections.

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

The future path of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is also drawing attention in political circles. The Blue House commented on Kim, "As the first Prime Minister under the Lee Jae-myung administration, he led the nation in overcoming internal strife and spearheaded Korea’s recovery. It would not be inaccurate to say that the achievements of the past year under President Lee are, in fact, the achievements of Prime Minister Kim." They also added, "As the Prime Minister who opened the first chapter of the people’s government, we ask that he share his experience and insights with his successor."

There is speculation that Kim may run in the upcoming Democratic Party convention in August. When asked about this possibility, Kang said, "The future steps of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok are his own, and we do not have a separate position on the matter." However, within the ruling party, there are expectations that if Kim leaves the Prime Minister’s office and enters the party leadership race, it could coincide with the second-year governance agenda of the Lee administration and a reorganization of the party’s leadership system.

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