President Moon's Recommended Books, the Hidden 'Political Messages' Within

This Year’s Recommendation is 'If You Are a Leader, Be Like Jeongjo'... "King Jeongjo's Story of Economic Reform Was the Most Impressive"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jung-min] Books recommended by the president serve as essential reference materials that Blue House aides must read. This is not only because they are recommended by the president but also because the national philosophy and messages are embedded within them. The ruling party's attention to the president's recommended books is for the same reason.

President Moon Jae-in, known as an avid reader, showcased 'message politics' using books whenever he had the opportunity. In August 2017, shortly after his inauguration, the main message was 'preparing for the future.' It was essentially an answer to what the party, government, and Blue House should do to manage the chaos caused by the early presidential election.

On August 5, 2017, President Moon wrote on Facebook, "The book 'Myunggyeonmanri' that I read during my (summer) vacation is a book I want everyone to read," emphasizing, "If the world to come is different from the past, politics and policies should be so as well."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In 2018, when inter-Korean summits continued, books related to the realities of the Korean Peninsula were included in the recommended reading list. During his summer vacation that year, President Moon revealed that he read 'The Boy Comes,' 'Noodles,' and 'Pyongyang's Time Flows Together with Seoul's Time.'

This book contains reports and observations from journalist Jin Cheon-gyu, a Korean-American correspondent who covered North Korea through on-site visits. The books recommended by President Moon at that time became a hot topic as their sales increased and they appeared on major bookstore bestseller lists.

In December last year, through social networking services (SNS), he drew attention by introducing three books by Professor Kim Yong-ok (Do-ol) of Hanshin University: 'The Sad Mouse's Reincarnation,' 'Crazy about the Heart Sutra at Twenty,' and 'Talking about Unification and Youth.' In August last year, he also gifted the book 'The 90s Generation is Coming' to all Blue House staff after reading it.

At that time, Blue House spokesperson Go Min-jung explained, "(President Moon) gave the book with the message, 'Everyone has experienced youth, but how well do we understand people in their twenties now?'"

In September this year, to mark 'Reading Month,' President Moon recommended books related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as 'Corona Sapiens' and 'The World from Today.' Additionally, he recommended 'The Biography of Hong Beom-do' along with 'If You Are a Leader, Be Like Jeongjo.' Introducing a book about Jeongjo, a representative reformist monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, is analyzed as reflecting his intention to continue the reform drive during the remainder of his term.

President Moon stated, "We can learn the leadership of King Jeongjo, who is worth emulating today, and enjoy viewing the history of that era," adding, "I especially liked the story of how King Jeongjo abolished the Geumnanjeon-gwon (exclusive rights to gold and silver trade) to reform the economy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.