Choi Moon-soon 최문순 崔文洵 | |
Order: | Governor of Gangwon |
Predecessor1: | Kang Ki-chang (acting) Lee Kwang-jae |
Successor1: | Kim Jin-tae |
Term Start: | 28 April 2011 |
Term End: | 30 June 2022 |
Birth Date: | 4 February 1956 |
Birth Place: | Chuncheon, Gangwon, South Korea |
Party: | Democratic |
Spouse: | Lee Soon-woo |
Alma Mater: | Seoul National University, Department of English Literature(Master of Arts) |
Profession: | Politician, Journalist |
Residence: | Chuncheon, South Korea |
Rank: | Sergeant |
Hangul: | 최문순 |
Rr: | Choi Mun-sun |
Mr: | Ch‘oe Mun-sun |
Choi Moon-soon (; born February 4, 1956) is a South Korean politician who was the governor of Gangwon Province.
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,[1] He then served as a Member of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2011. He, with his three generation family,[2] is recognized as an 'elite status of veterans', which certified on the Military Manpower Agency.[3]
He was elected at the special bi-election for the 36th governorship of Gangwon at April 27, 2011.[4] 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.[5]
Choi was re-elected to a second term, on June 4, 2014.[6] His second term, 37th governorship, started on July 1, 2014, with special debate of 'Meeting with Inhabitants', instead of a formal inauguration ceremony.[7] When PyeongChang held the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympic games, Choi was given a Paralympic Order.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11]