SEOUL, July 01 (AJP) - South Korea's new Prime Minister Han Seong-sook pledged Wednesday bolder policy commitment in artificial intelligence and advanced industries while ensuring the benefits of economic growth reach ordinary citizens.
Speaking to reporters as she arrived for her first day at the Government Complex Seoul, Han said she accepted "with great humility" the responsibility entrusted to her by the people and the National Assembly.
Referring to the government's June 29 announcement of three flagship "mega projects" to expand chip-led AI infrastructure, Han said Korea was transforming "from a follower into a country leading major change."
"We will pursue even bolder investment in AI and advanced industries," she said. "We will work to ensure that the results become part of people's daily lives and create opportunities for young people to grow and succeed."
Han said the benefits of economic growth should extend beyond large corporations to small businesses and neighborhood merchants so that "all citizens can realize their potential."
Asked about her most urgent task, Han said the government's speed would be critical.
"I believe the speed of government is extremely important," she said. "I will do my best to make this a government that moves more quickly."
Han added that she would prioritize policies with tangible benefits for the public, saying she wanted to focus on initiatives that people could directly experience in their daily lives.
"If the president presents the big picture and delivers the overarching message, the Cabinet's job is to carry it out quickly," she said.
Han, who becomes South Korea's second woman to serve as prime minister, downplayed the historic significance of the appointment.
"Whenever I've taken on a new role, I've often carried the title of 'the first woman,'" she said. "I don't think much about that. I believe I am in a position where I can do this job now."
Earlier Wednesday, Han received her letter of appointment from President Lee. She said the president encouraged her to continue the work she had been doing and told her that people had high expectations for her leadership.
Han also identified suicide prevention as one of the government's priority policy areas.
Echoing President Lee's emphasis on building "a government that saves lives," she said ministries should better coordinate and analyze data together to improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts.
Under South Korea's presidential system, the prime minister is the country's second-highest-ranking government official but serves under the president, who is both head of state and head of government.
Appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly, the prime minister oversees government ministries on the president's behalf, coordinates Cabinet affairs and can recommend the appointment or dismissal of Cabinet ministers.
Although the office carries less independent political authority than prime ministers in parliamentary democracies, it plays a key role in managing the day-to-day operations of the government and coordinating policy implementation across ministries. The prime minister is also first in the constitutional line of succession and assumes the powers of the presidency on an acting basis if the president is unable to perform official duties or the office becomes vacant.
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