[Presidential Interview] Kim Moonsoo: "I Am the Candidate to Defeat Defendant Lee Jaemyung... Reviving Businesses Is the Top Priority"

"The Opposition Is a Partner in Governing... I Will Dine Frequently With the Opposition Leader"
"Regretful About Yoon's Impeachment... Founding a New Party Outside the Party Is Contradictory"
"Global Companies to the Regions... I Will Become an Investment Ambassador"

Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, stated in an interview with Asia Economy at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 18, "If I become president, I will have regular meals with the opposition party leader," adding, "I will overcome crises with the mindset and attitude that the opposition is not an adversary, but a partner in governing the country together."

Kim's vision is to redefine the path of Korean politics through the "restoration of politics." He especially emphasized, "First, communication; second, communication; and third, communication," pledging to communicate with anyone, regardless of political orientation.

Kim also expressed confidence in his chances of winning the presidential election. He asserted, "If I, who have lived my entire life with integrity, step forward, I will be a stark contrast to Lee Jaemyung, the former Democratic Party leader and a defendant in major criminal cases."

Although Kim has secured a strong conservative base by positioning himself as part of the 'anti-impeachment' faction, expanding his appeal to moderates remains a challenge. Reflecting on this, he said, "I understand the sentiments and concerns of the Honam region better than anyone, and I am also well aware of the pragmatic mindset of the moderate public."

Regarding the economy, he stated, "Pro-business policies will lead to increased corporate investment, which will generate more profits and jobs, and naturally boost tax revenue."

The following is a Q&A with Kim Moonsoo.

Kim Moonsoo, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 18, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-What is Kim Moonsoo's unique competitive edge in defeating Lee Jaemyung, former leader of the Democratic Party?

▲To defeat Lee Jaemyung, we need a candidate who is most distinct from him. "Integrity brings life, corruption brings death" is a motto I always keep close to my heart. I, Kim Moonsoo, have lived my entire life with integrity, without a single suspicion of corruption. In contrast, Lee Jaemyung is a defendant in five trials facing twelve charges for major crimes. During my tenure as Gyeonggi Province Governor, I promoted numerous projects such as the Pyeongtaek Semiconductor Complex and the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Railway Network (GTX), yet there was not a single allegation of corruption.

-You have maintained the top approval rating among the broader conservative base, but recently your support has declined. You now need to appeal to both the party's conservative base and moderate voters outside the party.

▲Our party's support is weak in areas such as Seoul, the greater metropolitan area, low-income groups, the working class, and young people. Regaining their support is the key challenge for expanding to the center. I will more actively promote the intense life I have lived from the lowest positions, and more aggressively communicate my philosophy and vision for state affairs going forward.

-There are assessments that you have a strong far-right image. Can you cooperate with the Honam region and the progressive camp?

▲My political career is not limited to the Free Unification Party. I have experienced both the left and the right. My fundamental philosophy is liberalism. My hope and duty are to create a free society and a free nation, transcending the left and right. Although I am from Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, my wife is from Suncheon, South Jeolla Province. I understand the sentiments and concerns of the Honam region better than anyone. I am also well aware of the pragmatic mindset of moderates.

-What is your stance on the controversy over the creation of a 'Yoon Sukyeol New Party'?

▲Former President Yoon pursued many reforms with great enthusiasm, but unfortunately faced significant difficulties due to the martial law issue. Currently, former President Yoon is a member of the People Power Party. It is contradictory for a new party to be formed outside the party under the name Yoon Sukyeol.

-Even if you are elected president, the National Assembly will remain dominated by the opposition. How do you plan to communicate with the Democratic Party?

▲There is no shortcut. First, communication; second, communication; and third, communication. If I become president, I will regularly and frequently have meals with the opposition party leader. Through my long political experience, I have realized that sharing meals is an effective way to prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts. I will overcome crises with the mindset and attitude that the opposition is not an adversary, but a partner in governing the country together.

-How will you strengthen communication with the public?

▲First, communication with the media. The media is the channel for public sentiment. Without the media, there is no way for the president's sincerity or the government's policies to be properly conveyed. If I take office, I will communicate with the media as much as I serve the people. Second, I will create as many opportunities as possible to communicate directly with the public. In addition to national addresses, town hall meetings are also a good option.

Kim Moonsoo, a candidate in the People Power Party primary, is presenting his vision at the People Power Party's "21st Presidential Candidate 1st Primary Vision Conference" held at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on April 18, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

-What are your plans for the size and role of the presidential office?

▲I advocate for a small government. I will not expand the size of the presidential office. The role of the presidential office will be focused on nationwide projects that absolutely require the president's authority and on coordinating inter-ministerial tasks. I will also create a new position, 'Chief Officer for Corporate Affairs,' in the presidential office. The purpose is not to expand the power of the presidential office, but to handle corporate-related tasks, which are currently dispersed among the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, through a 'one-stop' system.

-Where do you think the presidential office should be located?

▲For now, I will use the Yongsan office and make a careful decision after listening to public opinion. It is not appropriate to keep changing the presidential office, which is funded by taxpayers, just because the president changes. Candidate Lee Jaemyung said he would "completely relocate to Sejong," but just a day later changed his stance to "move into Yongsan first, then renovate and reuse the Blue House, and eventually relocate to Sejong City in the long term." This is a double play aimed only at winning votes.

-There are negative economic forecasts, including projections of negative growth in the first quarter of this year. Do you have any plans to restore the growth rate?

▲Corporations are the main actors in the economy. For example, Hyundai Motor Company plans to invest 31 trillion won in the United States, but is reducing production in Korea. Korea is in the negative, while the U.S. is in the positive. Our companies should not behave this way. We must enable companies to increase investment domestically. In the case of Samsung Electronics, Chairman Lee Jaeyong was even imprisoned, and due to laws such as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Yellow Envelope Act, Korea has become one of the most difficult countries in which to do business. Anti-business sentiment is too strong.

-You have promised significant cuts to corporate and inheritance taxes. With continued tax revenue shortfalls, how do you plan to ensure fiscal soundness?

▲Ensuring fiscal soundness must start with "reviving businesses." Money comes from businesses, and when businesses do well, tax revenue increases. Pro-business policies will lead to increased corporate investment, generating more profits and jobs, which will naturally increase tax revenue. The growth of businesses will lead to economic growth and can also boost consumption. It is also necessary to improve the productivity and efficiency of government operations based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), thereby reducing administrative costs.

-Many people are concerned about unstable housing prices. What is your plan for stabilizing housing prices?

▲One of the main reasons for rising housing prices, especially apartment prices, is that the redevelopment and reconstruction processes take too long and are overly complicated and redundant. The average redevelopment and reconstruction period is typically 8 to 15 years, which is excessively long and leads to higher apartment prices due to rising raw material costs and increased interest expenses. In addition, the practice of requiring permits approved by district offices to be re-approved by city halls increases costs due to redundant procedures. I will resolve these issues.

Kim Moonsoo, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul on April 18, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-You achieved success in attracting a Samsung Electronics plant to Pyeongtaek during your tenure as Gyeonggi Province Governor.

▲Local governments cannot be revitalized simply by relocating public offices. Businesses and factories must move in. If I become president, I will expand the successful experiment in Gyeonggi Province to local governments across the country. I will become an "ambassador for investment attraction," enabling not only domestic companies but also global companies from the United States, Japan, Europe, and other countries to actively invest throughout Korea's regions.

-What is your position on the death penalty?

▲The rights of victims are more important than the rights of criminals. The death penalty is a measure that takes a human life and must be approached with extreme caution. However, victims who lose their lives to criminals do not even have the opportunity to claim their rights. If the death penalty is imposed on criminals who commit crimes against humanity, such as serial dismemberment killers, or on heinous criminals who cannot be reformed by any means, but is never carried out, the punishment loses its meaning.

-What is your position on the "female conscription" issue, which has become a major topic in the presidential race?

▲The introduction of conscription for women requires social consensus. Candidate Lee Jaemyung argued for a "selective volunteer military system," but this is a ruinous agitation that even sells out national security. Weakening military strength and endangering the country through a selective volunteer system is almost an act of treason. In particular, Lee's remark that "is it really efficient to confine hundreds of thousands of young people to military barracks?" is highly inappropriate "barracks populism."