Sohn Hak-kyu is most famous, or infamous, for his change of party affiliation from then-Grand National Party (now the Saenuri Party) to create the United New Democratic Party of progressives in 2007 upon an in-house conflict over the presidential candidate primary.

But in both parties, Sohn has been considered a moderate, and middle-of-the-road, not shying from supporting an opponent’s policy, such as former President Kim Dae-jung’s Sunshine Policy for North Korea.

Born in 1947 in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, Sohn took what is generally perceived as an “elite course,” by graduating from Kyunggi High School and entering Seoul National University with a major in politics. His unbridled desire for change was apparent since an early age, when he participated in the rally opposing the Korea-Japan summit talks in 1964 during his third year of high school. 

While in college, Sohn jumped wholly into democratic movements, along with late Democratic Party chairman Kim Geun-tae and late lawyer Cho Young-rae, who was a legendary human rights activist. He often faced investigation by authorities, during which time he would join to work with the workers in one of the hardest types of labor such as coal mining.

Upon graduation in 1973, Sohn did missionary work with Rev. Park Hyung-gyu, and worked with the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Christian Institute for the Study of Justice and Development to promote human rights.

In 1980, Sohn left to study in England and eventually earned a doctorate degree from Oxford University. Upon his return, Sohn began his career in academics by teaching political science at Inha University and Sogang University since 1988.

His political career started in 1993, when he earned the nomination of then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party, a precursor to the current Saenuri Party. He later explains to local media that he joined the DLP because the party sought after progressive vision at the time.

He served as spokesperson for the party, which later changed its name to the New Korea Party. He was also elected in the 15th National Assembly, and was later named the health and welfare minister by then-President Kim Young-sam in 1996.

After his third successful parliamentary term in 2000, Sohn ran for Gyeonggi governor in 2002 and was elected.

During his four-year term, Sohn rose as a potential presidential hopeful, ranking third after then-rivals President Lee Myung-bak and former Chairwoman Park Geun-hye.

Then in March 2007, saying that the party had fallen backwards, Sohn bolted from the Grand National Party and joined the newly formed United Democratic Party, a precursor to the Democratic United Party.

But his tag as a former GNP member bogged him down, and he lost to Chung Dong-young in winning the party’s final presidential candidacy.

But the next year, he was elected the chairperson for the opposition block, and was reelected to the post in 2010, proving his solidifying partisan foothold. In 2011, he won his fourth parliamentary seat in a by-election for Bundang, Gyeonggi Province.

Sohn is also famous for having retreated from the spotlight by living in near-hideaway during difficult times of his political career.

He is married with two daughters.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)