South Korea nominates Han ​Seong-sook as country’s first female Prime Minister in two decades

South Korean President Lee ‌Jae Myung has chosen Han ​Seong-sook, the country’s ⁠Minister for small and midsize businesses and startups, to ‌be Prime Minister, the presidential office said on ‌Sunday.

If approved by ‌Parliament, Ms. ⁠Han would become ⁠South Korea’s first female Prime Minister in 20 years.

Ms Han, who ​had also ‌previously served as chief executive of South Korean internet giant Naver, is ‌expected to lead the country’s ​AI transformation, South Korea’s presidential Chief of Staff ⁠Kang Hoon-sik said at a press briefing.

“Han will ‌be able to transform South Korea’s economic growth — driven by the semiconductor boom and rising exports – ‌into inclusive growth that reaches everyone, ​including small and medium-sized enterprises,” Mr. Kang said.

The role ⁠of Prime Minister is largely ⁠ceremonial and administrative under South Korea’s presidential ‌system.