South Korea’s Lee nominates tech guru Han as PM to lead AI growth

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated SME and Startup Minister Han Seong-sook as prime minister, betting the tech industry veteran will help the country realize its artificial intelligence ambitions.

Han, a former chief executive officer of Naver Corp. and one of Lee’s first Cabinet appointees, was chosen to lead the country’s AI transformation and growth because of her IT background and experience heading the SME ministry, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said in a televised briefing via YTN.

Lee, empowered after a resounding victory in key local elections, seeks to assemble an administration that will pursue his agenda, which is centered on boosting economic growth. Since taking office a year ago, the president has enjoyed solid support as his government benefited from a surge in global demand for AI technology, which has boosted chip exports and driven a boom in the stock market.

Once confirmed, Han will become the nation’s first female prime minister nominee in almost two decades. Her nomination will be subject to a parliamentary confirmation hearing, followed by a vote in a plenary session. Bloomberg