New Era in South Korean Politics
New Era in South Korean Politics

Challenges of the Presidency of Moon Jae In

Summary/Abstract: This article briefly analyses the problems facing the presidency of Moon Jae In who was elected president of South Korea in December 2017. Moon ascended to the presidency after a scandal rocked South Korea, which resulted in the removal of President Park Geun Hye. The new president is an experienced politician and will require all his skill and acumen to overcome the challenges facing the nation. The first issue is the domestic economy. Moon has indicated two economic goals: reforming the chaebols, the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia’s fourth biggest economy, and create 1.31 million jobs. Additionally, the new administration has signaled a commitment to environmental issues and ending the authoritarian culture of the South Korean presidency. In the area of foreign policy, South Korea faces a number of challenges in its relations with China and Japan. A central concern to the Moon Jae In administration is North Korea’s continued belligerent and provocative nuclear weapons rhetoric and posturing, which has been exacerbated by the responses from American president Donald Trump in recent months. It is clear that president Moon will need to be successful in political trust-building and constitutional reform as South Korea meets the challenges of a struggling economy, growing regional tensions, and the nuclear issue.

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