By Jun Ji-hye
President Moon Jae-in has been named one of the "Leading Global Thinkers" annually chosen by Foreign Policy magazine among the world's pre-eminent leaders and public intellectuals.
Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday President Moon was recognized for his efforts to run an open government and push for dialogue and peace despite North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.
The magazine said in its report that Moon faced tough challenges following his election victory in May in public trust for the government had bottomed out in the wake of the massive corruption scandal surrounding his predecessor, Park Geun-hye.
Moon also had to resolve China's economic and diplomatic freeze against Seoul's decision to allow the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system be placed here. "And if that wasn't enough, in April North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had begun to accelerate his reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, spurring a global crisis," the magazine said.
But the South Korean President has become a "unifying figure" with his approval rate hitting over 70 percent in his first month, the magazine said.
"Moon's handling of North Korea is what has put him in the spotlight," it said. "And even though no easy solution is in sight, his forceful push for peace has offered a welcome alternative to the saber rattling in Pyongyang and Washington."
The list of the 50 global thinkers also included French President Emmanuel Macron as well as entrepreneurs, filmmakers, comedians and political prisoners, who "together found amazing ways not just to rethink our strange new world but also to reshape it," according to the magazine.
President Moon Jae-in has been named one of the "Leading Global Thinkers" annually chosen by Foreign Policy magazine among the world's pre-eminent leaders and public intellectuals.
Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday President Moon was recognized for his efforts to run an open government and push for dialogue and peace despite North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.
The magazine said in its report that Moon faced tough challenges following his election victory in May in public trust for the government had bottomed out in the wake of the massive corruption scandal surrounding his predecessor, Park Geun-hye.
Moon also had to resolve China's economic and diplomatic freeze against Seoul's decision to allow the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system be placed here. "And if that wasn't enough, in April North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had begun to accelerate his reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, spurring a global crisis," the magazine said.
But the South Korean President has become a "unifying figure" with his approval rate hitting over 70 percent in his first month, the magazine said.
"Moon's handling of North Korea is what has put him in the spotlight," it said. "And even though no easy solution is in sight, his forceful push for peace has offered a welcome alternative to the saber rattling in Pyongyang and Washington."
The list of the 50 global thinkers also included French President Emmanuel Macron as well as entrepreneurs, filmmakers, comedians and political prisoners, who "together found amazing ways not just to rethink our strange new world but also to reshape it," according to the magazine.
