Choi Moon-soon (; born February 4, 1956) is a South Korean politician who was the governor of Gangwon Province.
Career After graduating the university, he worked as an investigative journalist of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) network for almost two decades, and later served as a chief executive officer of MBC from 2005 to 2008,Who is the elected, Choi Moon-soon (Korean), Kangwon Ilbo, June 5, 2014, Retrieved on June 19, 2014. He then served as a Member of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2011. He, with his three generation family,He and his family's total amount of service is 71 years. is recognized as an 'elite status of veterans', which certified on the Military Manpower Agency.Elite status of veterans, 2012(Korean; 2012 병역명문가), Military Manpower Agency, Retrieved on June 19, 2014.
Governorship
First term (2011–2014) He was elected at the special bi-election for the 36th governorship of Gangwon at April 27, 2011.Choi Moon-soon voted in as new Gangwon Governor for 2018 Olympics race , Laura Walden, Sports Features Communications, April 27, 2011. Retrieved on June 19, 2014. During his first term, he helped to host and prepare the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Pyeongchang county and several venues in Gangwon province, with improving relevant infrastructures such as the construction of new Wonju-Gangneung railway, revitalizing Yangyang International Airport, etc.Gangwon Governor Choi talks about the upcoming 2018 Winter Games and state preparations , Choi Ah-rim, Korea IT Times for Sports Features Communications, November 12, 2013. Retrieved on June 19, 2014.
Second term (2014–2018) Choi was re-elected to a second term, on June 4, 2014.Gangwon Governor Choi re-elected and putting more economic emphasis on the Games , Laura Walden, Sports Features Communications, June 10, 2014. Retrieved on June 19, 2014. His second term, 37th governorship, started on July 1, 2014, with special debate of 'Meeting with Inhabitants', instead of a formal inauguration ceremony.Huge changes on officers' Inaugurations(Korean), Kangwon Domin-ilbo, June 18, 2014, Retrieved on June 19, 2014. When PyeongChang held the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympic games, Choi was given a Paralympic Order.
Third term (2018–2022) Choi was re-elected to a third and last term, on June 13, 2018. His current term, 38th governorship, started on July 1, 2018, a formal inauguration ceremony. He is the first politician Democratic Party or its preceding parties to have served as Gangwon Governor for three times. In January 2020 he successfully recruited 2024 Winter Youth Olympics to Pyeongchang County using the existing facilities built for or used by 2018 Winter Olympics.
Personal life Choi, a Buddhist, lives in Chuncheon with his wife. He and his wife has 2 daughters. He also has been working as a chairperson of public-owned sports club Gangwon FC, since elected as the provincial governor in 2011.Owner Greetings (Korean), Gangwon FC official homepage, Retrieved on June 22, 2014.
Education Graduated, Bachelor of Arts, Department of English Education, Kangwon National University Master of Arts, Department of English Literature, Seoul National University
See also Min Byung-hee, incumbent Superintendent of the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, one of his fellow head of metropolitan council. Ahn Hee-jung, former Governor of South Chungcheong Province. Ohm Ki-young, rival candidate of 2011 special election; former CEO of MBC(his successor). Lee Kwang-jae, 35th Governor of Gangwon (2010–2011); his predecessor, colleague and 2018 Winter Olympics advocate.
Election results General elections Year Elections Constituency Political party Votes (%) Results 2008 18th National Assembly General Election Proportional representation (10th) UDP 4,313,645 (25.17%) Elected
Local elections Governor of Gangwon Year Elections Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks 2011 2011 By-election Gangwon(Governoral Elections) Democratic 293,509 (51.09%) Won 2014 6th Iocal Election Gangwon(Governoral Elections) NPAD 381,338 (49.76%) Won 2018 7th Iocal Election Gangwon(Governoral Elections) Democratic 518,447 (64.73%) Won
References
External links Official Gubernatorial Homepage Official Weblog, 'Moonsoonc' Official Twitter Page