PM nominee holds meeting with youths as she prepares to take over

SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook held a meeting with young officials and interns working at the prime minister's office Friday and listened to concerns in their lives and what the government can do about them as she prepares to take over as the country's No. 2 official.

The lunch meeting was arranged to help make policy for youths after President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han, minister for medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, for prime minister earlier this week. Her nomination is subject to parliamentary approval, but is expected to have no problem with passing through the National Assembly as the ruling Democratic Party holds a majority.

"What is more important than anything else in the course of policy making is to directly listen to the voices of youths and reflect them in policy," Han said during the meeting, according to the prime minister's office, asking participants to give their views freely about what the government can do to improve their lives.

Participants talked about rises in housing prices and difficulties they are facing in finding jobs and other issues.

"If I take office as prime minister, I will directly communicate with youths more often," she said.

Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook (R) laughs during a lunch meeting with youths on June 12, 2026. (Yonhap)