South Korea’s National Assembly approved the confirmation motion for prime minister nominee Han Seong-sook, clearing the way for her to become the country’s second woman to hold the office. The vote took place without participation from the main opposition People Power Party, which opposed her nomination and described her as unfit for the post. [Source 14165]
The motion passed with 166 votes in favor among 167 lawmakers present. The remaining ballot was invalid. The ruling Democratic Party, which led the Assembly, was joined by other parties aligned with the government, including the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Progressive Party, in supporting Han’s confirmation. [Source 14165]
Han is set to become South Korea’s 50th prime minister and the second person to serve in the role under President Lee Jae Myung. The parliamentary approval came 23 days after she was nominated on June 7. [Source 14165]
Her confirmation also marks a milestone for women’s representation in the country’s senior political leadership. Han will be the second female prime minister in South Korean history, two decades after Han Myeong-sook became the first woman to occupy the position in 2006. [Source 14165]
Before entering her current government role, Han Seong-sook built much of her career in the internet industry and served as chief executive of Naver, a major South Korean online portal company. She later became Lee’s first minister responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises. When announcing her nomination, the presidential office said her experience made her suited to guide the country through technological change and difficult international conditions. [Source 14165]
The opposition challenged the nomination during the confirmation process. Among the issues cited by the People Power Party was a controversy involving a leak of personal information connected to a government startup incubation program conducted in an audition-style format while Han was serving as SMEs minister. The supplied evidence does not establish a finding of wrongdoing against her in connection with that issue. [Source 14165]
The dispute also shaped the parliamentary proceedings ahead of the full vote. Earlier on June 30, People Power Party lawmakers boycotted a meeting of the parliamentary confirmation hearing committee. The Democratic Party-led Assembly then adopted the committee’s confirmation report without the opposition present. The People Power Party subsequently stayed away from the plenary confirmation vote as well. [Source 14165]
The outcome demonstrated the governing bloc’s ability to advance the nomination despite opposition resistance. With the confirmation motion endorsed, Han was positioned to take office and bring her background in technology, business and small-enterprise policy to the prime minister’s role. [Source 14165]
