President Moon's Recommended Book, 'Like Jeongjo'... Became a Must-Read for Samsung Executives

President Moon Jae-in is reading a book at Gyeryongdae, his vacation spot, on the 1st./2018.8.1 Courtesy of the Blue House

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The book recommended by President Moon Jae-in for September's 'Reading Month' has become a must-read for Samsung Electronics executives.

According to Asia Economy's confirmation on the 10th, Samsung Electronics CEO (President and Head of IM Division) Koh Dong-jin recently gifted about 300 executives of the IM Business Division the history book "If You Are a Leader, Be Like Jeongjo" written by Professor Kim Jun-hyuk of Hanshin University. A representative from the publisher The Bom said, "CEO Koh was deeply impressed by this book and is actively encouraging all key executives in the IM division to read it at least once."

Group orders from other companies, including Samsung affiliates, are also continuing. A publishing industry official said, "Recently, Samsung Life Insurance placed a group order for 500 copies, showing high interest from companies."

This book is one of the four books recommended by President Moon for September, the Reading Month. On the 1st, President Moon wrote on his Facebook, "I would like to introduce some books I read this summer that I want to recommend. For those who enjoy reading history, I can first recommend 'If You Are a Leader, Be Like Jeongjo'." He explained the reason for the recommendation as, "We living today can learn the leadership of King Jeongjo, which is worth emulating. I especially liked the story of how King Jeongjo abolished the Geumnanjeon monopoly to reform the economy."

The abolition of the Geumnanjeon monopoly is considered one of Jeongjo's representative economic revitalization and deregulation policies. Jeongjo abolished the exclusive commercial rights of the market merchants at the time and guaranteed the commercial activities of unauthorized merchants. Professor Kim wrote in this book, "At that time, the market merchants appealed not to amend the law, filling houses and streets with complaints and pressure, but Chae Je-gong pushed the policy through. About a year later, daily necessities became abundant every day, and the people were greatly pleased, saying that even those who had previously resented and cursed now acknowledged the justice of the policy."

In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Professor Kim explained, "Considering the current situation, it corresponds to an economic innovation policy. The abolition of the Geumnanjeon monopoly at that time was a policy that dismantled monopoly power, deregulated, and boldly reduced taxes." President Moon had previously stated during the 2017 presidential election, "If I become president, I will inherit Jeongjo's reform policies."

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