Prime Minister nominee begins two-day confirmation hearing

Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook began a two-day confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday. The main opposition party questioned her eligibility over a personal information leak from a government startup program and her prior ownership of multiple homes.

Han said she would become a prime minister focused on public happiness and tangible results. She described the next few years as critical for South Korea's competitiveness amid rapid artificial intelligence advancement and pledged to drive an AI transformation while supporting future generations and a safety net for the underprivileged.

Opposition lawmakers criticized Han for selling three homes days before the hearing, arguing the sales contradicted the administration's stance against real estate speculation. Han said she sold the properties at a low price because she recognized the greater responsibility of public office.

Data leak and war comment The hearing also addressed a data leak from the government's "Startup for All" website. Han had apologized for the incident earlier in the week. Han briefly stated that South Korea had invaded North Korea to start the 1950-53 Korean War before correcting herself to say North Korea invaded the South.

When asked to define the country's main enemy, she described North Korea as both a threat and a compatriot. Ruling party lawmakers said the allegations against Han were politically motivated and that she is qualified for the post given her rise from an ordinary office worker to head of a major digital company.

The ruling party holds 161 of 300 seats and can pass the nomination unilaterally. Han joined the government as startups minister in 2025 after serving as chief executive of online portal Naver.