With Han Seong-sook officially starting her duties as Prime Minister on July 1, attention is turning to the appointment of her successor at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
On the morning of her appointment, Han posted a farewell message on the ministry's internal network titled "To my colleagues at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups." In her message, she reflected on her 343 days leading the ministry as a private sector executive and emphasized the many challenges that remain, including the transition to artificial intelligence, strengthening the growth base for local SMEs, and establishing a social safety net for small business owners.
"The time spent thinking and learning together with you will serve as an important milestone for my future path," she added, expressing her continued support for her colleagues.
The small business community welcomed Han's appointment. The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses stated that Han, with her experience managing IT companies like Naver and her tenure as Minister, is well-suited to lead SMEs and small businesses through the ongoing industrial transformation, particularly in AI and digital innovation. They urged her to ensure that the voices of SMEs and small businesses are reflected in government policies.
The Korea Venture Business Association praised her as a leader who has driven digital innovation and global expansion in the domestic IT sector, highlighting her proven track record in fostering new industries, entrepreneurship, and regulatory reform.
The Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association noted that her focus on practical values will help ensure that the benefits of the AI transition reach local markets and all citizens.
The Innovative Business Association expressed hope that the strengthening of industrial competitiveness through AI and digital technologies, along with regulatory innovation, will create an environment where technology-based companies can seize opportunities in the global market.
The Main Business Association also emphasized the need for the new minister to effectively coordinate policies across departments and ensure that the voices of innovative SMEs are adequately represented in national governance.
Interest is also mounting regarding the appointment of the next Minister of SMEs and Startups. Current discussions suggest a preference for a candidate with a background in the private sector, particularly from the IT or manufacturing sectors, to maintain continuity in leadership. Alternatively, there is consideration of appointing a seasoned politician from the ruling party to drive strong policy initiatives.
The selection of the new minister is expected to unlock the stalled appointments of heads of affiliated agencies within the ministry. Currently, the Korea Technology Finance Corporation is in the process of reapplying for its chairmanship, while appointments for the Korea Small and Medium Business Agency, the Korea Institute of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Shared Growth Committee are all pending until after the new minister is appointed, with terms expiring in August and September.
A government official noted, "There is a prevailing sentiment that the appointments for the affiliated agency heads will commence in a domino effect following the minister's selection, although there have been no rumors about potential candidates yet. However, it is unlikely that the position will remain vacant for long."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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