South Korean President nominates new Prime Minister

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has nominated his cabinet member, Han Seong-sook, as the next Prime Minister, according to a senior presidential official on Sunday. If confirmed by the National Assembly, Han, who currently serves as the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, will become South Korea’s second female Prime Minister, according to Yonhap reports. Han Myeong-sook was the first female Prime Minister of South Korea, serving from 2006 to 2007. Meanwhile, incumbent Kim Min-seok, who served as the first Prime Minister under the Lee administration, will step down. He is reportedly planning to run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party. This cabinet reshuffle occurs during the first year of President Lee’s administration, which was inaugurated on 4 June 2025. The Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly formed a team to assist the nominee in preparing for her parliamentary confirmation hearing.