Han's rapid ascent to the role of Prime Minister comes just a year after she was appointed as the inaugural Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups. Her nomination is attributed to significant policy achievements and her effective problem-solving skills in addressing economic issues over the past year. Han, who was the first female CEO of Naver, South Korea's largest portal site, garnered high expectations upon entering public office.
One of her most notable achievements has been leading small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to record export levels despite a global economic slowdown. Last year, SME exports reached a historic high of $118.6 billion, and the first quarter of this year also saw record-breaking figures, marking two consecutive years of peak performance. This success is credited to her aggressive support for diversifying the export structure away from large corporations and facilitating the international expansion of SMEs and venture companies.
Additionally, Han has initiated a 'Startup for All' campaign aimed at transforming South Korea into the world's leading startup nation. The 'Startup for All Project' has revitalized the stagnant self-employed and venture ecosystem, attracting over 63,000 applicants, making it the largest government competition to date.
Within just 37 days of launching the project, participation surpassed 20,000, indicating a nationwide surge in entrepreneurial activity. During a press conference marking her one-year anniversary in office, Han referenced the Lee administration's declaration of a 'National Startup Era,' stating, "It is now time to plan for 2045," and committed to creating an environment conducive to fostering a startup nation over the next 20 years.
Her digital expertise, honed during her tenure at Naver, has also enhanced administrative efficiency. Han has led efforts to gradually integrate various policy platforms within her ministry and has reduced the complexity of application paperwork by over 50%, alleviating the administrative burden on small business owners and companies.
Her initiatives to support local businesses have also received positive feedback. In April, she spearheaded the 'Cooperation Festival,' which saw participation from over 33,000 businesses and small enterprises, generating approximately 500 billion won in sales.
Han graduated from Uijeongbu Girls' High School and earned a degree in English Literature from Sookmyung Women's University. She began her career as a journalist for an IT magazine and was a founding member of the internet company Empas in 1997 before joining Naver in 2007. President Lee had reportedly been considering Han along with Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of Staff, and Jeong Seong-ho, the Minister of Justice, as potential candidates for the Prime Minister position.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.