“I will add freshness to the growth of traditional small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and venture companies through digital transformation.”
This is a key message emphasized by Han Seong-suk, the Minister candidate for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, on her first day of work on the 24th. Candidate Han arrived at the personnel hearing preparation office established at the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) evaluation office in the metropolitan area at 1:30 p.m.
Han, who has been nominated as the first Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under President Lee Jae-myung, is a first-generation expert in the information technology (IT) field, having previously served as CEO of Naver.
Han emphasized the importance of digital transformation. She said, “I will lead digital innovative growth in existing traditional small and medium-sized enterprises through the introduction of AI.” She also stated that he would drive the digital transformation of small business owners based on her experience leading the ‘smart store business’ while he was CEO of Naver.
Han also noted that “small and medium-sized enterprises, ventures, and small business owners are the backbone of the Korean economy,” stating, “While strengthening the foundation of the industrial ecosystem, I will actively work to secure growth engines for global expansion and innovative venture startups.”
Regarding concerns about her lack of intersections with traditional manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in her career, Han said, “I cannot know everything and I am well aware of those aspects,” adding, “I will discuss this with practitioners and experts.”