Births on January 24

Moon Jae-in, 19th President of South Korea

Moon Jae-in (Korean: 문재인; Hanja: 文在寅; Korean pronunciation: [mun.dʑɛ.in]), born on January 24, 1953, is a highly influential South Korean politician who served as the 12th President of the Republic of Korea from 2017 to 2022. Prior to his significant tenure in the nation's highest office, he distinguished himself as a dedicated civil rights lawyer, a profession that profoundly shaped his political philosophy and public service career.

Early Life, Legal Career, and Human Rights Activism

Moon Jae-in's formative years were marked by significant hardship. Born to parents who were refugees from North Korea, he was raised in poverty within the southern port city of Busan, a stark reflection of the post-Korean War societal challenges. Despite these humble beginnings, he demonstrated exceptional academic promise, leading him to pursue and ultimately graduate with a degree in law from the prestigious Kyung Hee University.

His legal career was not solely focused on traditional practice but deeply intertwined with human rights advocacy. He became a prominent figure in the democratic movement alongside his longtime mentor, Roh Moo-hyun. This period was characterized by their collective resistance against the authoritarian rule of the time. Notably, Moon Jae-in faced imprisonment for organizing and participating in protests against the repressive Yushin Constitution, which was enacted by then-President Park Chung-hee and significantly concentrated power in the executive. This experience solidified his commitment to democratic principles and human rights.

Path to the Presidency: From Roh Moo-hyun's Aide to Presidential Candidate

Moon's close association with Roh Moo-hyun proved pivotal for his entry into national politics. His extensive work in human rights law and his unwavering dedication earned him the crucial role of campaign manager for Roh Moo-hyun in the successful 2002 South Korean presidential election. Following Roh's victory, Moon Jae-in served in various high-level official capacities within the Roh administration, including the significant roles of Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and later as Chief of Staff. These positions offered him invaluable insight into the intricacies of governance and policy-making at the highest levels.

After Roh Moo-hyun's presidency, Moon continued his political journey. He was elected as a member of the 19th National Assembly, representing a constituency in Busan, and subsequently rose to become the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), one of the nation's major political forces. His first bid for the presidency came in the intensely contested 2012 South Korean presidential election, where he ran as the candidate for the Democratic United Party. He narrowly lost to Park Geun-hye in an election later scrutinized for alleged interference by domestic intelligence services, a factor that contributed to the political turbulence that followed.

The political landscape dramatically shifted, leading to the impeachment and removal from office of President Park Geun-hye in 2017 due to a corruption scandal. This unprecedented event triggered a snap election in May 2017, in which Moon Jae-in, as the DPK candidate, secured a decisive victory, becoming the President of South Korea and ushering in a new era of governance.

Key Presidential Achievements and Policy Initiatives

Inter-Korean Relations and Peace Efforts

As president, Moon Jae-in prioritized improving inter-Korean relations, earning significant international attention for his proactive engagement with North Korea. A cornerstone of his foreign policy was a renewed commitment to the "Sunshine Policy," a framework for peaceful Korean reunification through engagement and cooperation, originally championed by former President Kim Dae-jung. His efforts led to historic breakthroughs:

• 2018 Inter-Korean Summits: Moon Jae-in met with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un on three separate occasions in 2018—in April, May, and September. These summits, notably the first inter-Korean summit in 11 years, culminated in significant declarations aimed at reducing tensions, promoting reconciliation, and pursuing denuclearization. He became only the third South Korean president to meet with their North Korean counterpart, following Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.
• Trilateral Meeting at DMZ: On June 30, 2019, Moon Jae-in facilitated and participated in an unprecedented meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with both North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un and then-United States President Donald Trump, further highlighting his role as a key mediator for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Economic and Social Reforms

Domestically, Moon Jae-in's administration focused on economic justice and social welfare improvements. Key initiatives included:

• Chaebol Reform: A significant policy objective has been the reform of South Korea's powerful family-controlled conglomerates, or "chaebols." This aims to enhance corporate transparency, promote fair competition, and curb the excessive economic concentration of these entities, fostering a more equitable economic environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Minimum Wage Increase: His administration substantially raised the national minimum wage by more than 16 percent, a measure designed to improve the living standards of low-income workers and address income inequality.
• Workweek Reduction: A landmark labor reform saw the maximum legal workweek reduced from 68 hours to 52 hours. This policy was enacted to improve work-life balance for South Korean employees, reduce overwork, and boost productivity.

Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the unprecedented global health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moon Jae-in's administration received widespread domestic and international praise for its highly effective and transparent response. South Korea's strategy, characterized by extensive testing, meticulous contact tracing, and efficient treatment protocols (often referred to as the "3T" strategy), became a global model for pandemic management without resorting to severe lockdowns. This successful handling of the public health crisis significantly bolstered public confidence and contributed to his party's historic victory in the 2020 South Korean legislative election, reinforcing his mandate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Moon Jae-in

Who is Moon Jae-in?

Moon Jae-in is a South Korean politician who served as the 12th President of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. He is also known for his prior career as a civil rights lawyer and human rights activist.

What was Moon Jae-in's background before becoming president?

Born to North Korean refugees and raised in poverty, Moon Jae-in became a lawyer and a prominent human rights activist, famously imprisoned for protesting the Yushin Constitution. He later served as Chief of Staff to President Roh Moo-hyun and was a member of the National Assembly and leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

What are Moon Jae-in's key policy stances, particularly on North Korea?

Moon Jae-in strongly favors the "Sunshine Policy" for peaceful Korean reunification, emphasizing engagement and cooperation with North Korea. His administration pursued economic reforms like chaebol reform, increased the minimum wage, and reduced the maximum workweek.

How did Moon Jae-in become President of South Korea?

After narrowly losing the 2012 presidential election, Moon Jae-in was elected president in a snap election held in May 2017, following the impeachment and removal from office of his predecessor, Park Geun-hye.

What are some of Moon Jae-in's notable achievements during his presidency?

Key achievements include his historic inter-Korean summits with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un, his role in facilitating a trilateral meeting between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, and his administration's globally praised handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.