Moon Jae-in

Moon Jae-in
Name	Moon Jae-in
Order	12th
Office	President of South Korea
Term start	10 May 2017
Term end	9 May 2022
Predecessor	Park Geun-hye
Successor	Yoon Suk Yeol
Birth date	24 January 1953
Birth place	Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Party	Democratic Party of Korea
Spouse	Kim Jung-sook
Alma mater	Kyung Hee University
Religion	Catholicism

Moon Jae-in. He is a South Korean politician and former human rights lawyer who served as the 12th President of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party of Korea, his presidency was defined by efforts at inter-Korean diplomacy, domestic economic reforms, and navigating complex relations with major powers like the United States, China, and Japan. His tenure followed the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Park Geun-hye.

Early life and education

Moon Jae-in was born in 1953 on Geoje Island during the Korean War, to refugee parents from Hungnam in what is now North Korea. His family later moved to Busan, where he attended Kyungnam High School. He entered Kyung Hee University in Seoul, initially studying law before his activism against the Yushin Constitution of Park Chung-hee led to his arrest and expulsion. After completing mandatory service in the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command, he passed the Korean Bar Examination in 1980 and graduated from the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 1982.

Political career before presidency

Moon began his career as a human rights lawyer, partnering with Roh Moo-hyun at a law firm in Busan focused on labor and civil rights cases. He served as a key aide to Roh during his successful 2002 presidential campaign and subsequent presidency, holding positions such as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and Chief of Staff in the Blue House. After Roh's death in 2009, Moon emerged as a political figure, winning a seat in the National Assembly in 2012. He later served as the leader of the Democratic United Party and was its nominee in the 2012 South Korean presidential election, narrowly losing to Park Geun-hye.

Presidency (2017–2022)

Moon assumed the presidency on 10 May 2017 following a snap election triggered by the Park Geun-hye scandal and her impeachment. His administration, often referred to as the "Moon Jae-in government," prioritized addressing corruption, reforming powerful institutions like the National Intelligence Service and Prosecutor's Office, and engaging with Kim Jong-un's regime in North Korea. Key diplomatic moments included his summits at Panmunjom and Pyongyang and facilitating the 2018–19 Korean peace process, including the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit.

Domestic policy

Domestically, Moon's platform centered on "income-led growth" and creating a "fair economy." His government significantly raised the minimum wage in South Korea, converted many irregular public sector jobs to regular status, and pursued reforms in sectors like chaebol governance and the prosecution system. He also championed a transition toward renewable energy, phasing out nuclear power plants in South Korea, and implemented expansive social welfare policies. These economic policies faced criticism for contributing to rising youth unemployment and household debt.

Foreign policy

Moon's foreign policy, termed "Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility," actively sought to balance relations between major powers. He strengthened the South Korea–United States alliance while maintaining dialogue with China, despite tensions over THAAD in South Korea. His most notable efforts were in inter-Korean relations, leading to three summits with Kim Jong-un and joint participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. However, relations with Japan deteriorated sharply over historical issues like comfort women and the 2018–19 Japan–South Korea trade dispute.

Post-presidency

Since leaving office in May 2022, Moon has largely remained out of active politics at his private residence in Yangsan. He published a memoir reflecting on his presidency and has occasionally commented on current affairs, expressing concerns over the foreign policy direction of his successor, Yoon Suk Yeol, particularly regarding Japan–South Korea relations and the approach to North Korea. He has also been involved in various civic and social welfare initiatives.

Category:Presidents of South Korea Category:1953 births Category:Living people