PM nominee Han Seong-sook vows to tackle economic emergency, accelerate AI-driven innovation

Prime minister nominee Han Seong-sook said Monday that, if confirmed, she would devote all her efforts to resolving the urgent economic hardships facing ordinary citizens.

Han made the remarks upon arriving for her first day at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service training center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. "I feel an enormous sense of responsibility at being nominated as prime minister candidate at this pivotal moment, as the government enters its second year," she said.

She paid tribute to her predecessor, saying Prime Minister Kim Min-seok had "served as the backbone of restoring democracy and laying the groundwork for normalizing the state in the aftermath of the insurrection." "I feel a weighty sense of responsibility and mission to carry on those achievements," she added.

Han said the second year must build on the policy gains of the first, spreading "tangible, visible change that citizens can feel — faster and more broadly."

She also pledged to push the country's AI transformation and accelerate innovation amid rapid industrial restructuring driven by AI and a complex global crisis. "We must also achieve a structural shift so that the fruits of that transformation translate into opportunity and growth for all people of the Republic of Korea," she said. "I will give everything I have, with a deep sense of mission."

Han said she would listen to voices from all walks of life and work to untangle social conflicts. "I will communicate sincerely with the National Assembly, lead close cooperation among ministries, and always approach my work with humility — all in pursuit of a Korea where everyone thrives together," she said.

She also promised to approach the National Assembly confirmation hearing "with sincerity and humility."

A former CEO of Naver, Han was appointed minister of SMEs and Startups in June last year and was nominated as prime minister roughly a year later. If she clears the National Assembly confirmation hearing and is appointed, she would become South Korea's second female prime minister in 20 years, following Han Myeong-sook, who served under President Roh Moo-hyun.

Han graduated from Sookmyung Women's University with a degree in English literature, worked as a reporter for an IT trade publication, and then joined Naver, where she rose to executive vice president of services before becoming the company's first female CEO. As minister of SMEs and Startups, she championed "Modu's Startup," a youth entrepreneurship support program, and was credited with delivering results in support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners.

Political observers inside and outside the government believe President Lee Jae Myung tapped the business executive — with her extensive hands-on industry experience — to accelerate AI industry development and innovation-driven growth as his administration enters its second year.