고건 高建
Administrator who served twice as Mayor of Seoul and twice as Prime Minister
| Life | 1938 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 제주 고씨 |
Life & career
Goh Kun (高建, born 1938) is an administrator born in Gyeongseong, of the Jeju Go clan, with the pen name Umin. His father was the philosopher and politician Go Hyeong-gon. After Jeonju Buk Middle School and Kyunggi High School he graduated in political science from Seoul National University and earned a master's in engineering at its Graduate School of Environmental Studies.
He passed the higher civil service exam in 1961 and worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs and North Jeolla provincial office, serving as vice governor of Gangwon and governor of South Jeolla. He was minister of Transportation, of Agriculture and Fisheries, and of Home Affairs, and a member of the 12th National Assembly.
He was Mayor of Seoul twice, as an appointed mayor (1988-1990) and as the 31st elected mayor (1998-2002), and Prime Minister twice, the 30th (1997-1998) and the 35th (2003-2004). During the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 he served as acting president. Among earlier figures of the Jeju Go are the Goryeo minister Go Jo-gi and the artist Go Hui-dong.
Early Public Service
After passing the civil service exam in 1961 he served in Home Affairs and the North Jeolla office, then as vice governor of Gangwon and governor of South Jeolla, and later as minister of three ministries.
Mayor of Seoul
He was appointed mayor from 1988 to 1990 and, elected in 1998, served as the 31st mayor until 2002.
Prime Minister and Acting President
He was the 30th (1997-1998) and 35th (2003-2004) Prime Minister, and acted as president during the March 2004 impeachment.
Descendants
His eldest son is Go Jin.