South Korea’s Lee Nominates Minister Han Seong-sook as Next Prime Minister

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on June 7 nominated Han Seong-sook, the minister of SMEs and Startups, to succeed Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.

The move signals Lee is tapping a former business executive to drive economic growth and push through a broader reform agenda as his administration enters its second year. Han had not been regarded as a leading contender, making her nomination a surprise choice.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the nomination at a briefing on June 7. Han, 59, graduated from Uijeongbu Girls’ High School and majored in English literature at Sookmyung Women’s University. She worked in the IT industry at Empas and NHN. In 2017, she became chief executive of Naver and led the company until 2022. In July 2025, she took office as the first minister of SMEs and Startups in Lee’s government.

If Han passes a parliamentary confirmation hearing and takes office, she would become South Korea’s first female prime minister in 20 years, following former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook in 2006. Before making the decision, Lee had narrowed his shortlist to Kang, Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho and Han.

Kim Hyeong-gyu, Hankyung.com reporter khk@hankyung.com