Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, said in an interview with Asia Economy at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 18, 2025, "If I become president, I will have regular meals with the opposition leader," adding, "I will overcome crises with the mindset and attitude that the opposition is not a political enemy but a partner in leading the nation together."

Kim's plan is to "restore politics" and redefine the path of Korean politics. He especially emphasized, "First, communication; second, communication; third, communication," stressing that he would communicate with anyone, transcending left and right.

Kim also expressed confidence in winning the presidential election. He argued, "If I, who have lived my entire life with integrity, step forward, I can present a stark contrast to Lee Jaemyung, the former Democratic Party leader and a defendant in serious criminal cases."

Kim has secured strong support from the conservative base by positioning himself as an anti-impeachment figure, but expanding support among moderates remains a challenge. Aware of this, he said, "I understand the sentiments and concerns of the Honam region better than anyone, and I am also well aware of the practical-minded moderate public."

Regarding the economy, he said, "With pro-business policies, if corporate investment increases, companies will earn more and hire more, and tax revenue will naturally increase."

The following is a Q&A with Kim Moonsoo.

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

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-What is Kim Moonsoo's unique strength that can defeat former Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung?

▲To defeat Lee Jaemyung, we must put forward a candidate who is most distinct from him. "Integrity brings life, corruption brings death" is a maxim I always keep close to my heart. I, Kim Moonsoo, who have lived my whole life without a single hint of corruption, can present a sharp contrast to Lee Jaemyung, a defendant in five trials on 12 charges of serious crimes. During my tenure as Gyeonggi Province Governor, I promoted many projects such as the Pyeongtaek semiconductor complex and the metropolitan area express railway (GTX), yet not a single allegation of corruption arose.

-You have maintained the highest approval rating among conservative voters, but recently your support has declined. You need to appeal to both the party's conservative base and moderates outside the party. How do you plan to do this?

▲Our party's support is weak among residents of Seoul and the metropolitan area, low-income groups, workers, and young people. Regaining their support is the key challenge for expanding to the center. I will more actively share the passionate and challenging life I have lived, starting from the lowest place, and more aggressively promote my philosophy of governance and vision for the future.

-There are claims 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 complete a free society and a free nation, transcending left and right. Also, 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 practical-minded moderate public.

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

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-What is your position on the controversy over the founding of the 'Yoon Sukyeol New Party'?

▲Former President Yoon pursued many reforms with great enthusiasm, but faced significant difficulties due to the martial law issue, which is deeply regrettable. Currently, former President Yoon is a member of the People Power Party. The idea of a new party being formed outside the party under the name of Yoon Sukyeol is contradictory.

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

▲There is no shortcut. First, communication; second, communication; third, communication. If I become president, I will have regular and frequent meals with the opposition leader. Through long political experience, I have learned that sharing meals helps prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts. I will overcome crises with the mindset and attitude that the opposition is not a political enemy but a partner in leading the nation together.

-How will you strengthen communication with the public?

▲First, through communication with the media. The media is the channel of public sentiment. Without the media, there is no way to properly convey the president's sincerity or government policies. If I take office, I will communicate with the media as much as I serve the people. Second, I will maximize opportunities to communicate directly with the public. Not only national addresses but also town hall meetings are good options.

Former Minister of Employment and Labor Moonsoo Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 9th to announce his candidacy for the 21st presidential election. 2025.4.9 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

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

▲I aim for small government. I will not expand the size of the presidential office. The role of the presidential office will be focused on truly national projects and tasks that require coordination among ministries, where the president's authority and role are absolutely necessary. I will also establish a "Chief of Corporate Affairs" within the presidential office. This is not to expand the authority of the presidential office, but to process corporate-related tasks that are currently spread across the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor in a one-stop manner.

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

▲For now, I will use the Yongsan office while listening to public opinion and then make a careful decision. It is not appropriate to keep changing the presidential office 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 position to "move into Yongsan for now, then renovate and reuse the Blue House, and eventually move to Sejong City." This is a double play aimed only at winning votes.

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

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-The economic outlook is poor, with forecasts of negative growth in the first quarter of this year. Do you have a plan to restore growth?

▲Businesses are the main actors in the economy. Hyundai Motor Company, for example, has announced a 31 trillion won investment in the United States, but is reducing production in Korea. Korea is in the negative, while the US is in the positive. Our companies should not behave this way. We must enable companies to expand their investments domestically. In the case of Samsung Electronics, Chairman Lee Jaeyong was even imprisoned, and due to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Yellow Envelope Act, Korea has become the most difficult country for businesses. Anti-business sentiment is too strong.

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

▲Ensuring fiscal soundness must start with "reviving businesses." Money comes from businesses, and if businesses do well, tax revenue increases. With pro-business policies, if corporate investment increases, companies will earn more and hire more, and tax revenue will naturally increase. The growth of businesses leads to economic growth, which can also boost consumption. Additionally, we need to improve government productivity and efficiency based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce administrative costs.

Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, who resigned from his ministerial position to run for the presidential election, is entering the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th for a meeting with the People Power Party leadership. 2025.4.9 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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-Many people are worried about unstable housing prices. What is your plan to stabilize them?

▲One of the main reasons for rising housing prices, especially apartment prices, is that the redevelopment and reconstruction process takes too long and is overly complex and redundant. The average redevelopment and reconstruction period is 8 to 15 years, which is excessively long, leading to higher apartment prices due to rising raw material costs and interest expenses. Also, the practice of requiring permits approved by district offices to be re-examined by city halls increases costs due to redundant procedures. I will resolve these issues.

-You achieved the accomplishment of attracting a Samsung Electronics plant to Pyeongtaek during your tenure as Gyeonggi Province Governor.

▲Simply relocating government offices to the provinces will not revitalize local economies. Businesses and factories must move in. If I become president, I will expand the successful experiment in Gyeonggi Province to local regions nationwide. I will become an "ambassador for attracting investment" so that not only domestic companies but also global companies from the United States, Japan, Europe, and other countries will actively invest in various regions across Korea.

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

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-What is your position on the enforcement of the death penalty?

▲The rights of victims are more important than those of criminals. The death penalty, as it takes a human life, must be approached with great caution, but victims who lose their lives to criminals do not even have the opportunity to claim their rights. If the death penalty is sentenced to criminals who commit inhumane crimes, such as serial dismemberment murderers, or heinous criminals who cannot be rehabilitated by any means, but is never enforced, then the punishment loses its meaning.

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

▲Introducing conscription for women requires social consensus. Candidate Lee Jaemyung advocated a "selective volunteer military system," but this is a ruinous agitation that sells out national security. Weakening military strength and endangering the nation through a selective volunteer system is a claim close to treason. In particular, Lee said, "Is it really efficient to confine hundreds of thousands of young people to barracks?" This is a highly inappropriate "barracks populism."