South Korea is set to have a female prime minister for the first time in 20 years. She is Han Seong-sook. President Lee Jae-myung nominated her on Sunday as the country’s next prime minister. If approved by parliament, she will become the second female prime minister in South Korea’s history. News agency AFP reported this development. Currently, Han Seong-sook serves as the Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Startups. This nomination follows the significant success achieved by President Lee Jae-myung’s party in the local elections held last Wednesday. However, the ruling Democratic Party lost the mayoral election in the capital, Seoul, to the opposition party.

The election was also marred by controversy. The head of the election oversight body was forced to resign after a shortage of ballot papers occurred at 50 polling stations across the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the President’s Chief of Staff, Kang Hoon-sik, stated that the country is currently facing a major strategic shift driven by artificial intelligence-based innovations and complex global crises. He noted that the President considers Han Seong-sook the most suitable person to oversee growth and the well-being of the people during this period.

Han’s nomination requires parliamentary approval. However, given the ruling party’s majority in the 300-member National Assembly, her confirmation is considered almost certain unless a major ethical controversy or scandal emerges. If approved, 58-year-old Han Seong-sook will become the second woman to hold the office of prime minister in South Korea. The country’s first female prime minister was Han Myeong-sook, who served from 2006 to 2007. Meanwhile, it is widely speculated that outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will contest for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party.