South Korea may get first female prime minister in 20 years

President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seongsook as the country’s next prime minister, the presidential office said on Sunday.

If confirmed by parliament, Han would become South Korea’s first female prime minister in two decades, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Han, who previously served as chief executive of South Korean internet company Naver, is expected to lead the country’s artificial intelligence transformation, according to presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik.

Kang made it clear that Han would help convert South Korea’s economic growth—driven by the semiconductor boom and rising exports—into more inclusive development that benefits small and medium-sized enterprises.

He added that Han is well placed to guide the country’s AI-driven economic strategy.

The prime minister’s role in South Korea is largely ceremonial and administrative under the country’s presidential system.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov