An article, originally published two weeks ago, is gaining renewed attention in South Korea as the country holds its presidential election today on June 3, 2025 KST.
With the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the political atmosphere has been turbulent, and many are turning their focus to who will take the helm as the 21st president. As the race intensifies, the contrasting leadership styles of Lee Jae Myung and Kim Moon Soo have become a major topic of discussion, especially as both candidates present themselves as “national CEOs.”
Earlier last month, CEO News analyzed the leadership of the two key figures in this presidential election, candidates Lee Jae Myung and Kim Moon Soo. Below is the translation of its article in light of the presidential election.
Lee Jae Myung vs. Kim Moon Soo: A Comparative Analysis of CEO-Style Leadership
The two key figures in this presidential election, candidates Lee Jae Myung and Kim Moon Soo, both refer to themselves as “national CEOs,” emphasizing the need for sweeping reform. However, the leadership styles they promote differ significantly.
CEO Leadership as Seen Through Their Backgrounds
Candidate Lee Jae Myung presents himself as a self-made leader who rose from humble beginnings as a teenage factory worker. Through the hardships he faced working on the factory floor, he developed strong execution capabilities and practical problem-solving skills. In contrast, candidate Kim Moon Soo began his career as a labor activist after graduating from Seoul National University’s Department of Economics. He later entered politics and shifted toward conservatism. His leadership is seen as one grounded in strong convictions and ideology, characterized by a restructuring-oriented approach.
Field-Based Execution vs. Reform Through Restructuring
Lee Jae Myung, having served as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, focused on quick, on-the-ground responses and introduced innovative policies. He gained public support through specific and swiftly implemented measures such as basic income, youth dividends, and free school uniforms. On the other hand, Kim Moon Soo, during his term as Gyeonggi governor, promoted regional economic revitalization by removing regulations and aggressively attracting businesses. He advocates for fundamental, structural reforms in areas like the labor market and public education, prioritizing long-term solutions over short-term fixes.
SWOT Analysis of CEO-Style Leadership
A SWOT analysis comparing the leadership styles of the two candidates is as follows:
Lee Jae Myung’s strengths lie in his quick decision-making and innovative execution. His weaknesses include a perception of authoritarianism during the implementation process and the potential for political conflict. His opportunities come from the possibility of gaining public support through clear and innovative policies during times of social crisis. The threats he faces include clashes with the existing political establishment and internal backlash resulting from his aggressive policy push.
Kim Moon Soo’s strengths are his strong convictions, drive, and decisiveness in times of crisis. His weaknesses include a lack of flexibility and a hardline image that may limit his ability to negotiate politically. His opportunities stem from the fact that clear ideological messaging could serve as a powerful alternative in an era of uncertainty. However, his threats include the possibility of limiting broader appeal and causing internal division due to an overly rigid ideological stance.
At the Crossroads of Execution and Restructuring—What Is the Nation’s Future?
While both Lee Jae Myung and Kim Moon Soo advocate for a CEO-style approach to governing the country, their methods and direction differ sharply. Lee seeks rapid transformation through immediate, field-driven execution, whereas Kim aims to improve the nation's underlying systems through long-term structural reforms.
Although both candidates share the goal of managing the nation like a corporation, the question of which CEO model is more appropriate for South Korea today ultimately rests with the voters. The upcoming election presents a critical choice between generating quick results through powerful execution or pursuing structural innovation from a long-term perspective.
Through this election, the public will decide whether Lee Jae Myung’s path of "immediate change and innovation" or Kim Moon Soo’s approach of "fundamental reform and restructuring" will lead to a brighter future for South Korea.
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