A paper feeding apparatus includes a pickup roller (121), a knock-up plate (111) to accommodate recording media thereon and capable of moving to a pickup position and a release position, a forward roller (123) to transfer a recording medium picked up by the pickup roller, a retard roller (130) capable of moving to a contact position and to a separation position, a first control unit to move the knock-up plate to the pickup position and the release position, and a second control unit to move the knock-up plate to the contact position and the separation position, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit are driven by a single driving motor.