Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in... Presidential Candidates' 'Autobiographical Politics'

Next Presidential Candidates Release Autobiographies in Succession
Many Books Also Published by Third Parties and Close Associates
Promotional Opportunity to Showcase Politicians' National Philosophy and Policy Vision
President Moon Published Essay Collection 'Unmyeong' Before 18th Presidential Election
Former President Park, a 'Writer,' Authored Six Books by 2007

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon’s conversational autobiography "Lee Nak-yeon's Promise," published on the 27th / Photo by Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Ahead of next year's presidential election, prospective presidential candidates are consecutively publishing autobiographies and memoirs. A politician's autobiography serves as a platform to introduce their governance philosophy and acts as a collection of policy visions, becoming an important first step in their presidential journey. Previously, President Moon Jae-in and former President Park Geun-hye also engaged in 'autobiographical politics' ahead of their presidential bids.

The first presidential candidate to open the door to autobiographical politics was former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. Last month, Chung published an essay collection titled "Susaengnok," which contains his political philosophy and vision for national governance.

This work reflects Chung's reflections during his tenure as Prime Minister, when he was responsible for COVID-19 prevention, and also introduces his thoughts on political issues such as 'national unity' and the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution.'

Meanwhile, another ruling party presidential candidate, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, is set to publish his autobiography "Lee Nak-yeon's Promise" on the 27th. Structured as a dialogue, this book serves both as Lee's autobiography and a policy proposal collection.

Lee previously published an autobiography when he ran for governor of Jeonnam Province in 2014. This is his first autobiography in seven years.

Books dealing with Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Yoon Seok-youl, former Prosecutor General, who are leading in approval rating polls, are also being published one after another. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

Among various presidential candidates, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who are leading in approval ratings, have not yet published autobiographies themselves. However, books written by third parties or close associates have been released consecutively.

For example, political commentator Kim Yong-min recently published "Minority Lee Jae-myung," which comprehensively covers Lee's political career. Regarding the reason for publishing this book, Kim explained, "I hope it serves as a small gateway for those whose judgment stops at liking or disliking Lee Jae-myung to see him more delicately and objectively."

Since stepping down in March, several books related to former Prosecutor General Yoon, who has shown little activity, have been published. In the past three months, four books titled "Yoon Seok-youl's Time," "Warm Yoon Seok-youl," "Yoon Seok-youl's Sincerity," and "Yoon Seok-youl's Fate" have been released.

President Moon Jae-in's essay collection "Unmyeong" (left) and former President Park Geun-hye's autobiography "Despair Trains Me and Hope Moves Me" / Photo by Internet homepage capture

This trend of politicians publishing autobiographies is not new. President Moon Jae-in also gained attention by publishing an essay collection titled "Fate" in 2011, one year before the 18th presidential election.

This essay collection was written during Moon's tenure as chairman of the People’s Livelihoods Foundation (No Mu-hyeon Foundation) and contains reflections from his time as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs in the Presidential Office during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, as well as memories of the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

At that time, President Moon wrote in the book, "(Former) President Roh said in his will, 'It is fate.' For me, it truly is fate. You are now freed from fate, but I am trapped by the tasks you left behind," expressing his resolve in politics.

Former President Park Geun-hye, registered as an essayist with the Korean Writers' Association, published a total of six essay collections from 1993 to 2007. Among them, the most recently published "Despair Trains Me and Hope Moves Me" (2007) depicts the hardships, overcoming, and transformation into a political leader she experienced after losing her parents to assassination.