Kim Young-joo (Korean: 김영주; Hanja: 金榮珠; born 27 July 1955) is a South Korean politician and former basketball player previously served as President Moon Jae-in's first Minister of Employment and Labor from 2017 to 2018. She is the first woman to lead the Labour Ministry since its foundation in 1981 and its preceding agency in 1948.[1]
Kim Young-joo | |
|---|---|
| 김영주 | |
 Kim in 2022 | |
| Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly | |
| In office 4 July 2022 – 5 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Sang-hee |
| Minister of Employment and Labor | |
| In office 14 August 2017 – 21 September 2018 | |
| President | Moon Jae-in |
| Prime Minister | Lee Nak-yeon |
| Succeeded by | Lee Jae-gap |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2012 | |
| Constituency | Yeongdeungpo A (Seoul) |
| In office 30 May 2004 – 29 May 2008 | |
| Constituency | Proportional representation |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 July 1955 Seoul, South Korea |
| Political party | People Power (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (2015–2024) |
| Alma mater | Korea National Open University Sogang University |
She was a basketball player for Seoul Trust Bank (now absorbed into Hana Bank).[1] She then worked at the Bank where she reportedly faced gender discrimination which led her to join its trade union. She later joined its leadership board and eventually became the deputy chair of the Korea Financial Industry Union and the first woman to assume this post.[2]
In 1999 she first entered politics when she was recruited by Kim Dae-jung.[3] She has consistently took senior roles in her party and its succeeding parties such as its secretary-general and one of elected members of its Supreme Council.[4]
Minister of Employment and Labor (2017–2018)
editShe was nominated and appointed as President Moon Jae-in's first Minister of Employment and Labor. She was replaced after facing opposition parties and the media's strong critics of the "decrease in weekly working hours and increase in minimum wage" policy, which she was responsible for as labour minister and was one of the main socio-economic campaign promises of Moon, throughout her time as Minister.[5]
Kim completed her tertiary education in her 40s - an undergraduate degree in Korean language and literature from Korea National Open University and a master's degree in economics from Sogang University.
Resignation of the DPK to join the PPP
editShe will resign from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to join the People's Power Party (PPP); on February 19, 2024; a few months before the legislatives elections in South Korea; bringing the vice-presidency of the National Assembly to 2 members of the same party instead of one for each.[6]
Electoral history
edit| Election | Year | District | Party Affiliation | Votes | Percentage of votes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16th National Assembly General Election | 2000 | Proportional representation | Democratic Party (2000) | 6,780,625 | 35.9% | Lost |
| 17th National Assembly General Election | 2004 | Proportional representation | Uri Party | 8,145,824 | 38.26% | Won |
| 18th National Assembly General Election | 2008 | Seoul Yeongdeungpo A | Democratic Party (2008) | 34,163 | 42.53% | Lost |
| 19th National Assembly General Election | 2012 | Seoul Yeongdeungpo A | Democratic United Party | 52,232 | 52.87% | Won |
| 20th National Assembly General Election | 2016 | Seoul Yeongdeungpo A | Democratic Party | 49,935 | 45.28% | Won |
| 21st National Assembly General Election | 2020 | Seoul Yeongdeungpo A | Democratic Party | 72,445 | 56.2% | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b "Korea's first cabinet under new president almost complete with Kim Young-joo named as labor minister - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea". pulsenews.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "Former basketball player, labor minister nominee champions gender equality". The Korea Herald. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ 민주당 "김영주 고용부장관 후보자 내정, 진심으로 환영". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ 고용노동부 열린장관실. www.moel.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "Top South Korea officials replaced in Moon Jae-in government". UPI. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ [속보]野 김영주 "의정활동 하위 20% 통보...의원으로서 모멸감". Money Today (in Korean). 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2024-03-09.