Lee names Han as prime minister pick

President Lee Jae Myung, entering the second year of his presidency, on Sunday nominated SMEs and Startups Minister Han Seong-sook as his new prime minister candidate. The surprise announcement came ahead of his first-anniversary news conference and a European trip scheduled for Tuesday to June 18, signaling that the administration intends to maintain its focus on governance and economic performance.
 
Han’s rise from an office worker to the head of a major technology company and then a Cabinet minister made her a notable choice. If confirmed, she would become Korea’s second female prime minister. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said the nomination reflected the administration’s emphasis on ability and competence. Lee linked the appointment to his goals of advancing an AI-driven transformation and promoting broader economic growth.
 
By selecting a figure from the technology sector rather than a career politician, Lee appears to be emphasizing practical governance and economic issues.
 
Yet voters expect more than an efficient administration. A president must also uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and safeguard the values of a democratic republic.
 
The June 3 local elections highlighted that expectation. Despite favorable conditions for the governing party, including generally positive evaluations of the administration’s performance, the Democratic Party lost the Seoul mayoral race. The result suggested voter discomfort with what many perceived as increasingly one-sided governance and insufficient checks on power.
 
At today’s news conference, Lee should not only outline his second-year agenda but also address the concerns expressed through the election results.
 
Most importantly, he needs to clarify his position on the controversy surrounding the special counsel proposal related to the cancellation of indictments. Critics argued that the initiative appeared designed to protect the president from legal risks. Lee should also explain remarks made on the eve of the election that some interpreted as pressure on the acting prosecutor general regarding indictment-related matters.
 
Questions remain as well about the administration’s handling of the Starbucks Korea controversy and other politically sensitive issues. In addition, policy confusion surrounding prosecutors’ investigative authority and proposed real estate tax revisions requires clearer direction.
 
To secure broader public support in the second year of his presidency, Lee must address suspicions that some actions created the appearance of privilege or unequal treatment. A government that seeks long-term success cannot avoid difficult questions. Confronting uncomfortable issues directly is not separate from effective governance. It is a necessary condition for it.