If confirmed through a parliamentary hearing, Han will become the second female Prime Minister in South Korea, following Han Myung-sook, who served nearly 19 years ago.
Additionally, she will make history as the first Prime Minister with a background as a CEO of a major corporation, having previously led Naver, the country's largest IT company.
Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of Staff to the President, stated during a briefing at the Cheong Wa Dae that Han is expected to effectively address the pressing issue of artificial intelligence transformation, leveraging her experience in both the IT sector and as a minister.
Kang praised Han's tenure as Minister, highlighting her focus on speed, results, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners, which led to record-high exports for SMEs and revitalization of the startup ecosystem.
He expressed optimism that Han's innovative approach and experience as Minister, combined with her new role as Prime Minister, could help shift the growth of the Korean economy—currently buoyed by a semiconductor boom and rising exports—toward benefiting all citizens, including SMEs and local businesses.
The appointment of Han as Prime Minister is expected to accelerate the ongoing cabinet reshuffle and the selection of new personnel in the Blue House.
Speculation suggests that the President may replace ministers from three to four different departments, while also filling vacant positions such as the spokesperson for the Blue House, the Chief of AI Future Planning, and the Deputy Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee. Changes among some senior secretaries are also anticipated.
Kang indicated that several appointments are in preparation and may be announced soon.
However, he noted, "We are currently reassessing our overall agenda centered on the national task of moving beyond recovery and normalization to a great leap forward. We are also deeply considering the public sentiment demonstrated in the recent elections."
The Blue House also made an unusual mention of outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. Kang remarked that Kim, as the first Prime Minister of the Lee Jae-myung administration, played a crucial role in overcoming national crises and leading the recovery efforts. He stated, "The achievements of the past year under the Lee administration can largely be attributed to Prime Minister Kim."
Kang urged Kim to share his experience and insights with his successor as the first Prime Minister of a government founded on popular sovereignty.
Kim is widely expected to run in the upcoming Democratic Party convention in August. Kang refrained from commenting on Kim's future plans, stating, "We cannot take a separate position on his individual actions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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