SMWU Alumna Han Seong-sook Named Prime Minister — First in University's History
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-07-02
Han Seong-sook, a Sookmyung Women's University graduate (Class of 1985, Department of English Language and Literature), was appointed the 50th Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, July 1. Han becomes the first Sookmyung alumna and only the second woman in the nation's history to hold the office.
Her appointment was finalized after the National Assembly passed the confirmation motion in a plenary session on June 30, followed by the president's formal approval. The inauguration ceremony will be held Thursday at the Government Complex in Sejong.
Speaking to reporters on her first day, Han said, "Korea's standing is shifting as a nation leading times of great transformation," adding, "the government will do its utmost to move swiftly in step with that change." She continued, "We will pursue investment in AI and advanced industries more boldly, and take active steps to rationalize regulations that could stand in the way of innovation."
An English literature graduate of Sookmyung, Han is a veteran IT leader who previously served as CEO of Naver, Korea's largest internet company. She began her career as a reporter for the monthly computer magazine PC Line and joined the internet portal Empas as a founding member in 1997. At NHN beginning in 2007, she led key businesses in roles including director of the Search Quality Center, head of the Naver Service Division, and executive vice president of services.
In 2017, Han became the first woman to lead Naver as CEO. Over roughly five years, she expanded investment in future technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and data centers, and built up content businesses including webtoons and web novels, driving the global expansion of K-content. From 2017 to 2021, she also served as chair of the Korea Internet Corporations Association, contributing to the growth of the country's platform industry.
Her global leadership earned wide recognition as she was named to Fortune's "50 Most Powerful Women" list for four consecutive years, from 2017 to 2020.
Last year, Han expanded her career from the private sector into public service when she was appointed Minister of SMEs and Startups. In that role, she launched the "Startup for All" initiative to promote entrepreneurship and worked to expand venture investment and digital transformation.
Han has maintained close ties with her alma mater since graduation. In July 2022, she donated 100 million won, saying she hoped "Sookmyung's students will grow into leaders of the gentle power that changes the world and become beacons for the future." The gift established the Han Kyung-seok and Lee Do-young Scholarship — named after her parents — which supports students in the Division of English Language and Literature.
(Photo © Blue House, Republic of Korea)
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