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Kim Moon-soo: From Labor Movement Activist to Conservative Presidential Candidate
As we prepare for the 2025 21st presidential election in South Korea, the People Power Party has selected former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo as the final candidate.
Born in 1951 in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in business administration and has taken various political paths. He served three terms as a member of the National Assembly and two terms as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, gaining extensive experience while serving as the chairperson of the Economic, Social and Labor Council and Minister of Employment and Labor under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. This experience has contributed to strengthening his position as a presidential candidate.
The transformation of Kim Moon-soo from a symbol of the labor movement to a representative figure of conservative politics is expected to have a significant impact on this presidential election. We will take a deep dive into the political background, journey, core pledges, and relationships with competitors Han Dong-hoon and Han Deok-soo, as well as the possibility of unification.
Turbulent Political Journey: From Labor Movement to Conservative Politics
Candidate Kim Moon-soo's life is filled with ideological changes and political fluctuations. He participated in the pro-democracy movement opposing the Yushin regime in the 1970s, experiencing expulsion twice and time in prison. After graduation, he became the president of the Hanil Duroco Union of the National Metal Workers' Union and secretary-general of the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Foundation, establishing himself as a central figure in the labor movement in the 1980s. He was referred to as 'a legend of the labor movement,' but after witnessing the collapse of communist regimes at the end of the 1980s, he returned to a moderate stance. He entered institutional politics in 1996 as a candidate for the New Korea Party.
During his terms as a member of the National Assembly in the 15th and 17th, he was recognized as the best legislator for nine out of ten years, demonstrating diligent and capable legislative activities. He was consecutively elected as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2006 and 2010, showcasing his abilities as an administrator.
His major achievements include promoting the Metropolitan Express Rail (GTX) project, along with easing regulations in the metropolitan area, developing northern Gyeonggi Province, achieving the highest pledge fulfillment rate, and introducing the 'Infinite Care' program.
However, he faced criticism for his lack of communication and authoritarian attitude amid controversies such as opposing free meals, historical recognition issues, and the 119 call incident. These controversies have negatively impacted his public image.
After completing his term as governor, he faced a period of political hardship with consecutive failures in the 2012 presidential primary, the 2016 general election, and the 2018 Seoul mayoral election. During this time, he participated in rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, joined the movement for the resignation of the Moon Jae-in government, and actively engaged in conservative movements outside the institutional framework by founding the Liberty Unification Party.
As a result, he has leaned towards a hardline conservative stance. After the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, he was appointed chairperson of the Economic, Social and Labor Council and Minister of Employment and Labor, re-entering the central political stage; however, conflicts with the labor sector and controversies over his past statements remain unresolved.
In April 2025, after stepping down from his ministerial position, he challenged for the People Power Party's presidential primary and was selected as the final candidate on May 3, surpassing competitors including former representative Han Dong-hoon.
His overwhelming support in the party member voting (61.25%) played a crucial role, leading to an overall cumulative voting rate of 56.53%. Although this is seen as a successful mobilization of his core support base, there are concerns about his limitations in securing the middle ground in the general election.
Kim Moon-soo's Vision: Key Pledges for the 2025 Presidential Election
Candidate Kim Moon-soo announced his first pledge to create an 'environment favorable for businesses.' He plans to implement pro-business economic policies. Major points include reducing the maximum corporate tax and inheritance tax rates and significantly easing business-related regulations. Additionally, he promised to focus on ten new technologies such as AI and semiconductors, establishing a fund of 100 trillion won, and nurturing 200,000 talents.
In the infrastructure sector, he aims to establish a national GTX network as a major pledge. This plan includes completing six metropolitan lines and expanding to the five major metropolitan areas to achieve balanced regional development.
For labor policy, he aims to introduce a flexible working hours system through labor-management agreement to increase flexibility in working hours and expand autonomy for companies regarding retirement age. He also plans to expand the application of labor standards to businesses with fewer than five employees and establish the rule of law between labor and management among various efforts.
In the fields of security and diplomacy, strengthening the ROK-US alliance is set as a major goal. This plan includes strategies for nuclear fuel reprocessing and developing nuclear submarines to enhance nuclear countermeasure capabilities. Moreover, a proposal to restore the authority for air defense investigations to the National Intelligence Service has been made.
Regarding political reform, intentions for constitutional amendments, the abolition of the early voting system, and the repeal of the non-arrest privilege of National Assembly members have been discussed. These pledges aim to provide stability to the conservative support base while succeeding the policies of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration but also face the challenge of emphasizing differentiation from the previous government and overcoming critical public opinion.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo: Election Prospects and Challenges
Candidate Kim Moon-soo has formed a solid conservative support base based on his extensive administrative experience; however, he has clear disadvantages, including a lack of expandability among the centrist voters and past controversies. Current opinion polls show he is significantly trailing behind competitor Lee Jae-myung, classifying him as an 'underdog.'
The most important factor for increasing his chances of winning is the unification of the conservative camp. In particular, the potential unification with former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo seems to be crucial. However, even if unification is achieved, the effect may be limited without Kim improving his image and targeting the middle ground. Transitioning away from a strong image while maintaining core support will be a significant challenge.
Furthermore, establishing a relationship with former President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to have a considerable impact on his competitiveness in the general election. There is significant interest in whether Candidate Kim Moon-soo can overcome these various obstacles and achieve a dramatic change. How his future actions unfold is a matter of great attention.
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