Im I-ja
Overview
Im I-ja (임이자, 林利子, born February 20, 1962) is a South Korean politician and a member of the 21st National Assembly (Sangju-si·Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, People Power Party). She was elected in the 2020 21st general election and has been active on the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, working to develop local agriculture and fisheries while solidifying her position as a female politician.
Main Content
Life and Education
Im I-ja was born in 1962 in Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. She graduated from Sangju Girls' High School, earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Welfare from Daegu Catholic University (formerly Hyosung Women's University), and a Master's degree in Social Welfare from the same university's graduate school. She later completed a Master's in Public Administration from Kyungpook National University's Graduate School of Public Administration and a doctoral course in Political Science at Yeungnam University's graduate school. This educational background laid the foundation for her deep interest in local social welfare and administration.
Pre-political Career
Before entering politics, Im I-ja worked as a social worker, contributing to the development of local social welfare. She served as an operating committee member of the Sangju-si Community Child Center and as a director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Social Welfare Council, gaining practical experience in supporting vulnerable groups and welfare policy. She also held roles such as Vice President of the Korean Women's Association Gyeongbuk Branch and President of the Sangju-si Women's Association, working to promote women's rights and discover local female leadership.
Political Activities
Im I-ja ran for the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council in the 7th local elections in 2018 as a candidate of the Liberty Korea Party and was elected. During her tenure as a provincial councilor, she focused on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and women's and welfare policies, leading efforts to resolve local issues. In the 2020 21st National Assembly election, she ran as a candidate of the United Future Party (now People Power Party) in the Sangju-si·Mungyeong-si constituency of Gyeongbuk and was elected. In the National Assembly, she served as a member of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, focusing on protecting the rights of local farmers and fishers, improving the distribution structure of agricultural and fishery products, and addressing rural population decline.
Major Legislative Activities
- Agriculture and Rural Development: Worked to improve direct payment systems for stable farmer income, establish measures to stabilize agricultural product prices, and promote the introduction of smart farms. In particular, she pursued legal and institutional support to expand sales channels and enhance the brand value of local specialties (e.g., Sangju dried persimmons, Mungyeong apples).
- Women and Family Policies: Proposed bills to improve the status of female farmers and support work-family balance, expand support for women's entrepreneurship, and contribute to creating a family-friendly rural environment.
- Regional Balanced Development: Focused on securing budgets to expand infrastructure in underdeveloped rural areas and improve education, medical, and cultural facilities.
- Fisheries Support: Participated in strengthening support for inland water fishers and developing policies to promote consumption of fishery products.
Party Affiliation and Election History
- 2018: 7th local elections (Liberty Korea Party, elected to Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council)
- 2020: 21st National Assembly election (United Future Party → People Power Party, elected in Sangju·Mungyeong)
- 2024: 22nd National Assembly election (People Power Party, defeated in Sangju·Mungyeong)
Recent Developments
In the 2024 22nd National Assembly election, Im I-ja ran as the People Power Party candidate but lost to Democratic Party candidate Kim Byung-wook, failing to win re-election. This was an unusual case of a Democratic Party candidate winning in the traditionally conservative stronghold of Sangju·Mungyeong, attributed to changes in the local political landscape and rural voter discontent. Since then, Im I-ja has continued political activities in the region, preparing for future elections while engaging in research and lectures on agricultural and women's policies. As of 2025, she serves as the chair of the People Power Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Party's Sangju-si·Mungyeong-si Constituency Party Committee, maintaining her position within the party.
Related Topics
- [[People Power Party]]
- [[21st National Assembly election]]
- [[Sangju-si]]
- [[Mungyeong-si]]
- [[Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee]]
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