Moon Jae-in

Moon Jae-in was born on January 24, 1953, on Geoje Island, South Korea, to North Korean refugees who fled during the Korean War. He grew up in poverty and attended Kyung Hee University, where he studied law. As a student, he was arrested during protests against the Yusin Constitution under Park Chung-hee, which shaped his political activism.

After passing the bar exam in 1980, Moon became a human rights lawyer, defending students and activists. He co-founded the Busan chapter of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) and worked alongside future president Roh Moo-hyun, with whom he formed a close political partnership.

Moon entered politics as a key aide to Roh Moo-hyun, serving as Chief of Staff from 2007 to 2008. After Roh's suicide in 2009, Moon became a leading figure of the progressive camp. He ran for president in 2012 but narrowly lost to Park Geun-hye.

Following Park's impeachment in 2017, Moon won a snap election with 41.1% of the vote, the highest margin since 1987. His victory was fueled by public anger over the corruption scandal that led to Park's removal.

Moon prioritized engagement with North Korea, holding three summits with Kim Jong-un in 2018 and facilitating the first U.S.–North Korea summit in Singapore. His 'Sunshine Policy 2.0' aimed at denuclearization and peace, but progress stalled after the Hanoi summit in 2019.

He also sought to balance relations with the U.S. and China, notably refusing to join the U.S. missile defense system fully and resisting pressure to isolate China economically. His administration faced criticism for its handling of the THAAD deployment and diplomatic tensions with Japan over wartime history.

Domestically, Moon pursued progressive reforms, including raising the minimum wage, expanding welfare, and pushing for judicial reform. He also championed renewable energy and a 'Green New Deal' to combat climate change.

His approval ratings fluctuated, dropping due to economic slowdown and housing price surges. His legacy is mixed: praised for his role in the 2018 peace process and COVID-19 response, but criticized for economic stagnation and a rise in real estate prices.

Moon is the first South Korean president to have been born after the Korean War. He is also a Catholic, and his faith influenced his advocacy for social justice. He has written several books, including his memoir 'Moon Jae-in: The Road to Destiny' (2018).

An avid reader, Moon has cited the novel 'The Old Man and the Sea' as an influence. He also holds a black belt in taekwondo and enjoys hiking. During his presidency, he adopted a dog named Tory, a mixed-breed from a shelter, which he often walked in the presidential compound.

Sunshine Policy

A South Korean policy of engagement with North Korea, originally initiated in the late 1990s.

THAAD

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a U.S. missile defense system deployed in South Korea.

Minbyun

Lawyers for a Democratic Society, a South Korean human rights lawyers' organization.