Han Seong-sook, Former CEO of Naver. (Photo = Naver)

 

 

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Han Seong-sook, former CEO of Naver, has been appointed as the new Minister of SMEs and Startups (MSS), becoming the first business executive to take the helm of the ministry.



A first-generation venture entrepreneur, Minister Han previously led Naver—now one of South Korea’s top big tech companies—for five years. She will now oversee the Yoon administration's policies on fostering venture startups and supporting small businesses and SMEs.



On the 23rd, President Lee Jae-myung approved Han’s appointment after the National Assembly adopted her confirmation report with bipartisan support—one month after her nomination on June 23.



Han becomes the sixth Minister of SMEs and Startups and the first to come directly from the private sector.



Until now, the position has largely been held by political figures. From the first minister Hong Jong-haak—appointed when the ministry was elevated to cabinet status in 2017—through the fourth minister Lee Young, most have been career politicians. Only Han’s predecessor, Oh Young-joo, came from a diplomatic background. Though Lee Young had experience as a venture entrepreneur, she served as a proportional representative lawmaker prior to her appointment.



Han is recognized as a pioneering figure in South Korea’s IT industry and was Naver’s first female CEO. She joined NHN, Naver’s predecessor, in 2007, later serving as Executive Vice President of Services and eventually as CEO. She also chaired the Korea Internet Corporations Association.



During her tenure at Naver, Han drove innovation through services like LINE and Naver Webtoon and was named to Fortune’s International Power Women 50 list for four consecutive years. The Office of the President cited her "extensive experience and insight" as key reasons for her nomination, expressing confidence that she would bring a fresh perspective to SME development strategies.

 

 

 

 

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