South Korea's Lee nominates ex-Naver CEO Han Seong-sook as PM, second woman ever, in post-election 'AI government' reset

President Lee Jae-myung nominated Han Seong-sook, his minister of SMEs and startups and a former chief executive of internet portal giant Naver (2017-2022), as South Korea's next prime minister on June 7-8, 2026, framing his second year in office around 'AI-driven transformation' and extending growth beyond 'a select few.' If confirmed by the National Assembly, Han would become only the country's second female prime minister, after Han Myeong-sook (2006-2007). The nomination caps a broad post-election reshuffle of the cabinet and presidential office that followed June 3 local elections, in which Lee's ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) won 12 of 16 mayoral and gubernatorial races while the opposition People Power Party suffered a heavy defeat.

Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok — the Lee administration's first PM — is stepping down to contest the DPK leadership at the party's national convention expected in August, where he faces party chairman Jung Chung-rae. The reshuffle, timed to Lee's first anniversary in office (inaugurated June 4, 2025), is expected to replace three to four ministers and several senior presidential aides, with new posts including a Chief of AI Future Planning and a vice chair of a National AI Strategy Committee.

Earlier reporting had floated rival PM contenders — chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and justice minister Jung Sung-ho — before Lee settled on Han.