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South Korea·Democracy

South Korea names Han Seong-sook as first female prime minister in 20 years

Monday, 8 June 2026, 06:19 · 1 min read

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, currently minister for small and medium-sized enterprises, to serve as the country's next prime minister — a role that would make her only the second woman to hold the position since Han Myeong-sook served from 2006 to 2007. Han, 59, is a prominent figure in South Korea's tech industry, having led Naver (the country's dominant internet portal) as its first female CEO from 2017, and was named among Fortune Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in the World multiple years running. Her confirmation is expected to proceed smoothly, as President Lee's ruling Democratic Party holds a majority in the 300-seat National Assembly, and if approved she has pledged to prioritise household livelihoods and accelerate the country's transition toward AI-driven economic growth.

Sources
DawnSouth Korea names first woman PM in 20 years ↗︎Yonhap(LEAD) PM nominee vows to put top priority on improving people's livelihoods ↗︎Yonhap(profile) IT pioneer Han tapped as next prime minister ↗︎
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