Introduction
Moon Jae-in (Korean pronunciation: [mun.dʑɛ̝.in]; born 24 January 1953) is a South Korean politician who is currently the Minjoo Party of Korea's nominee in the 2017 presidential election.
Moon most recently served as the opposition leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea from 2015 to 2016 and a member of the 19th National Assembly. Prior, he was the Democratic United Party's candidate for the 2012 presidential election after winning a majority in the party primaries, but lost the election to Park Geun-hye. He was formerly a lawyer and chief of staff to late President Roh Moo-hyun prior to his entrance into politics.
Early life and education
Born in Geoje, South Korea, Moon Jae-in was the first son of father Moon Yong-hyung and mother Kang Han-ok among five children. His father was a refugee from South Hamgyeong Province (currently in North Korea) who fled his native city of Hamhung during the Hamhung Retreat. His father settled in Geoje as a laborer for the Geoje POW Camp.
His family eventually settled in Busan and Moon attended Kyungnam High School. He enrolled in Kyunghee University where he majored in law. He was arrested and expelled from the university when he organized a student protest against the Yushin Constitution. Later, he was conscripted to the military and recruited to the Special Forces, where he participated in a military mission during the Axe murder incident.
After his discharge, he passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to the Judicial Research and Training Institute. He graduated second in his graduating class but was not admitted to become a judge or government prosecutor due to his history of activism against the dictatorship as a student. Moon chose to become a lawyer instead.
Early career
Human rights attorney
After becoming a lawyer, he partnered and worked with future President Roh Moo Hyun. They remained friends up until Roh's suicide in 2009. Along with Roh, he took cases involving human rights and civil rights issues. He was a member of Minbyun and the Chairman of Human Rights at Busan Bar.
Hankyoreh
He was a founding member of the progressive South Korean newspaper, The Hankyoreh, in 1988.
Roh Moo Hyun administration
Due to Roh's insistence, Moon became Roh's campaign manager during his presidential bid. After Roh's victory, Moon became Roh's chief of staff and close aide. His roles in Roh's administration included:
- 2003 ~ February 2004 - Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs
- May 2004 ~ January 2005 - Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Society
- January 2005 ~ May 2006 - Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs
- March 2007 ~ February 2008 - Chief Secretary of the President
- August 2007 - Chairperson of the Promotion of the 2nd North-South Korea Summit
When prosecutors began investigating Roh's corruption charges, Moon was the legal counsel to Roh. After Roh committed suicide, Moon was in charge of the funeral and handling his private affairs. His exposure to the public as a poised and trustworthy aide impressed the public and many liberals in Korea found Moon to be an attractive candidate against the conservative Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye.
Political career
Entrance to politics/National Assembly
Despite his earlier indifference to politics, he began to get involved in the politics. He published a memoir called Moon Jae-in: The Destiny which became a bestseller. His popularity had been rising steady against the likely opponent in the presidential race, Park Geun-hye. For instance, in a February 2012 poll, Moon managed to gain parity with Park in popularity.
Moon managed to capitalize on the conservatives' decline in popularity amid a series of corruption scandals: as one pundit said, "Moon had managed to portray himself as a moderate and rational leader who has the backing of the younger generation".
In 2012, Moon entered a bid for a seat in the National Assembly in the 19th legislative election. Moon won a seat in the Sasang District of Busan on 11 April 2012 as a member of the Democratic United Party with 55% of the vote.
2012 presidential campaign
On September 16, 2012, Moon received the presidential nomination for the Democratic United Party.
He ran for the 2012 presidential election as the Democratic United Party's candidate in a three-way race against Park Geun-hye, the incumbent ruling party’s candidate and daughter of the late president Park Chung-hee, as well as independent software mogul Ahn Cheol-soo. After Ahn bowed out of the race and endorsed Moon after showing the two candidates in a definitive loss were there to be a three-way race, Moon went onto lose the election.
Leader of the opposition
Moon was elected as the leader of New Politics Alliance for Democracy in February 2, 2015. After former party leader and presidential candidate rival Ahn Cheol-Soo's departure, Moon scouted several politically prominent people including former police Pyo Chang-won, political critic Lee Chul-hee and notably former president Park's secretary Cho Ung-chun to prepare for upcoming South Korean legislative election, 2016. After his recruitment, Moon resigned his position for another scouted advisor Kim Chong-in.
2017 presidential campaign
Moon is currently considered the frontrunner to win Korea's next presidential election as of May 2017 following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
Political views
National security
Moon came out in favor of repealing Korea's national security laws, which has been accused by the Korean liberals as a tool of historically right-wing establishment of South Korea to restrict and oppress left-wing voices in Korean politics. He also promised to abolish the domestic wing of NIS (National Intelligence Service) in order to maintain their political neutrality, transferring domestic affairs to the police force.
Foreign policy
Moon has favored a peaceful reunification between the two Koreas. He was widely criticized and praised for his comments stating that his first visit if elected president would be to visit North Korea which would not be unlike Roh Moo Hyun's visit to the country in 2007. Similarly, Moon's foreign policy towards North Korea is considered to closely align with the Sunshine Policy embraced by former liberal presidents.
His 2017 presidential campaign has supported re-opening of the Kaesong Industrial Park.
He has stated he considered himself as "America's friend" for its role in helping South Korea avoid communism while helping its economic growth. At the same time, his more liberal foreign policy is reflected on record stating in a book, "“I’m pro-U.S., but now South Korea should adopt diplomacy in which it can discuss a U.S. request and say no to the Americans.” He opposes a rebalance of the security alliance with the United States, but at the same time stated he would like South Korea "to be able to take the lead on matters on the Korean Peninsula."
Economic policy
Moon's campaign promise in 2017 included intentions to put a 10 trillion won ($8.9 billion) fiscal stimulus to support job creation, start-ups, and small to mid-sized companies. His announced goal is to create 810,000 public sector jobs through raising taxes on the wealthy.
Moon's policy against corporate corruption, specifically in regards to Korean conglomerates in chaebols is to give "minority shareholders more power in electing board members" of the companies.
Transparency
Moon also promised transparency on his presidency, moving the president residence from palatial and isolated Blue House to an existing government complex in downtown Seoul.
Social values
In a televised presidential debate, Moon said he opposes homosexuality in response to conservative candidate Hong Jun-pyo's remarks that gay soldiers were a source of weakness in Korean military. Moon's remark prompted immediate criticism from Sim Sang-jung, a sole presidential candidate to support LGBT rights and member of the leftist Justice Party, during the debate. The remark also prompted outrage from gay rights activists, considering Moon's representation as the leading liberal candidate and former human rights lawyer. Some of the Moon's supporters dismissed the comments as a necessity to win, as South Korea tends to the conservative side in social issues. Moon later clarified his comments suggesting he still believes there should be no discrimination based on one's sexual orientation.
Personal life
Moon is married and has two children (a daughter and son). He is a Roman Catholic.