▲ Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook answers a lawmaker's question during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2026. (Yonhap)

PM nominee-confirmation hearing

PM nominee undergoes confirmation hearing amid controversies over data leak, multiple homes

SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook began undergoing a two-day confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday as the main opposition party questioned her eligibility for the post.

Han, who currently serves as minister for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, has come under scrutiny over a series of controversies, including a personal information leak involving the government's audition-style startup incubation program.

"I will become a prime minister who focuses solely on working for the happiness of the people and deliver tangible results," Han said at the hearing.

The nominee described the next few years as a critical period that will determine South Korea's competitiveness amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), saying she will draw on experiences that she gained over "three decades working on the frontline of technological innovation."

"I will make all-out efforts to drive a bold AI transformation that reshapes the economic structure, help the future generations grow and create a warm safety net for the underprivileged," said the former CEO of online portal giant Naver. Han joined the government as the startups minister in 2025.

During the hearing, lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party criticized Han for selling off her homes just days before the hearing, arguing her previous ownership of multiple homes ran counter to President Lee Jae Myung's stance against real estate speculation.

"I realized that serving in public office carries far greater responsibility than working in the private sector, which is why I had put my homes on the market," Han said. "The reason I decided to sell (my properties) even at a low price ... was because I felt I had to do everything I could."

On Tuesday, Han's office said she has sold off three homes, leaving her with only one house in Seoul's central district of Samcheong-dong.

Han's motion can be passed unilaterally by the ruling Democratic Party as it currently holds a parliamentary majority with 161 out of 300 seats.

The prime minister is the only Cabinet position that requires parliamentary consent for appointment.

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