South Korea Nominates First Female Prime Minister in Two Decades

In a significant political move, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook as Prime Minister, potentially making her the first woman to hold this position in nearly two decades. Han, who has a strong background in technology and has been serving as the Minister of SMEs and Startups, is expected to drive inclusive economic growth. This nomination comes as the Lee administration marks its first anniversary, with the current Prime Minister stepping down to pursue party leadership. A press conference is scheduled where President Lee will outline his vision for the upcoming year.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 16:14 IST

Han Seong-sook Nominated as Prime Minister

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea has put forward the nomination of Han Seong-sook, the current minister for small and midsize businesses and startups, for the position of Prime Minister, as announced by the presidential office on Sunday. If the parliament grants approval, Han will become the first female prime minister of South Korea in nearly twenty years, following Han Myeong-sook, who held the office from 2006 to 2007. Kang, a spokesperson, expressed confidence that Han would facilitate a transformation in South Korea’s economic landscape, which is currently buoyed by a semiconductor boom and increasing exports, into a more inclusive growth model that benefits all sectors, including small and medium enterprises, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Background on Han Seong-sook

The nomination comes as the Lee administration celebrates its first anniversary since the president's inauguration on June 4 of the previous year. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who was the first prime minister under Lee's administration, is resigning to pursue leadership within the ruling Democratic Party at its upcoming convention in August or September, according to Yonhap News. Han, who previously served as the CEO of the prominent South Korean internet company Naver, has been the Minister of SMEs and Startups since the beginning of Lee's term. She is recognized for her extensive background in technology and digital innovation.

On Monday, President Lee is scheduled to hold a press conference to commemorate his first year in office, where he is anticipated to outline his policy objectives for the upcoming year of his five-year term. Reports indicate that the Prime Minister's Office has already assembled a team to assist the prime minister nominee in preparing for her parliamentary confirmation hearing. In South Korea’s presidential system, the role of the prime minister is primarily ceremonial and administrative.

(With agency inputs)