South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, the current minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Startups), as prime minister, according to Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik. If confirmed by parliament, Han Seong-sook will become the first female prime minister in South Korea in 20 years, following Han Myeong-sook, who began serving in 2006, according to UPI.

Kang Hoon-sik announced the nomination during a briefing, stating that Han would transform growth driven by semiconductors and rising exports into inclusive growth for small and medium-sized enterprises. Han Seong-sook is expected to lead South Korea's AI transformation and has stated she would prioritize improving people's livelihoods, according to YNA. She previously served as chief executive of the internet company Naver, according to GDELT.

The nomination follows local elections in which Lee’s party dominated, although the Democratic Party lost the Seoul mayoral race, according to Dawn. The recent elections were marred by ballot shortages at 50 polling stations nationwide, which prompted the head of the state election watchdog to resign, according to Dawn. The prime minister role is described as largely ceremonial and administrative under South Korea's presidential system.