Kim Moon-soo (politician)

Kim Moon-soo (Korean: 김문수; born August 27, 1951) is a South Korean politician and former labor activist who served as the minister of employment and labor from 2024 to 2025. He is a member of the People Power Party.

Born in Yeongcheon, Kim graduated from Seoul National University in 1994, a degree he earned 25 years after first enrolling, having been expelled twice for participating in student protests against the government. He was arrested and tortured by the dictatorial government in 1980, but his indictment was later suspended. In 1986, Kim was arrested on charges of leading the Incheon May 3 direct election constitutional amendment struggle as a member of the Seoul Confederation of Labor Movement, was tortured, and sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. He served his sentence and was released in 1988 after receiving a special pardon. A former labor activist, he began his career in politics when he participated in the foundation of the People's Party in 1990.

In 1996, Kim was elected to the 15th National Assembly at Sosa District, Bucheon, as a candidate for the New Korea Party. After continuing to serve as a member of the assembly for another two terms, he became elected by popular vote in 2006 Gyeonggi gubernatorial election and consequently served as the governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2006 to 2014.

Following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim launched his campaign for the PPP nomination in early April 2025. He defeated his closest rival, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, in the final round. On 10 May, Kim's nomination was cancelled and he was replaced by former acting president and prime minister Han Duck-soo, but was later reinstated as the party's nominee. He lost the general election to the DPK's Lee Jae-myung.