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This is a Korean name; the family name is Lee.
{{Korean name|[[Lee (Korean name)|Lee]]}}
{{Infobox President
| name = Lee Myung-bak<br>{{lang|ko-Hang|이명박}}<br>{{lang|ko-Hani|李明博}}
| image = Lee_Myung-bak-2005.jpg
| caption = Lee Myung-bak at an interview in [[2005]] at the Cheonggyechon stream restoration site
| imagesize = 210px
| order = [[President of South Korea]]
| primeminister = [[Han Duck-soo]]<br>[[Han Seung-soo]]
| vicepresident =
| term_start = [[25 February]] [[2008]]
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Roh Moo-hyun]]
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|12|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hirano-ku, Osaka|Hirano]], [[Osaka]], [[Japan]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| religion = [[Presbyterian]]
| spouse = [[Kim Yun-ok]]
| party = [[Grand National Party|GNP]]
}}
{{Infobox Korean name|
hangul=이명박|
hanja={{linktext|李|明|博}}|
rr=I Myeongbak|
mr=I Myŏngbak|
}}


'''Lee Myung-bak''' ({{pronounced|i.mʲʌŋ.bak̚}}<!--Yes, the L is silent-->) (born [[December 19]], [[1941]]) is the seventeenth and current [[President of South Korea]]. He previously served as the thirty-second mayor of [[Seoul]] and is a current member of the [[Grand National Party]].
Lee Myung-bak
이명박
李明博
Lee Myung-bak


==Early life and education==
Lee Myung-bak at an interview in 2005 at the Cheonggyechon stream restoration site
Lee was born in the then Korean residential district of [[Hirano-ku, Osaka|Hirano-ku]], [[Osaka]], [[Japan]]. At the time his father, Cheung-u Lee (이층우), worked as a farm hand on a cattle ranch in Japan. His is mother, Taewon Chae (채태원) was a housewife and a devout Christian. Lee has three brothers and three sisters. He is the fifth of seven children. After the end of [[World War II]] in 1945, his family returned to [[Pohang]], [[Gyeongsangbuk-do]], [[South Korea]]. <ref> Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership.
President of South Korea
By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times
Incumbent
[http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200712192305271&code=910112]
Assumed office
</ref>
25 February 2008
<ref>Special Report: Verifying Lee's Japanese birth.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo
By Byeong-cheol Jeong
Han Seung-soo
[http://isplus.joins.com/life/lifes/200712/07/200712071322314831080100000801010008010101.html]
Preceded by Roh Moo-hyun
</ref>
Born 19 December 1941 (1941-12-19) (age 66)
Hirano, Osaka, Japan
Political party GNP
Spouse Kim Yun-ok
Religion Presbyterian
Lee Myung-bak
Hangul 이명박
Hanja 李明博
Revised Romanization I Myeongbak
McCune-Reischauer I Myŏngbak


At [[Pohang]], Lee attended Dongji Commercial High School. A year after graduating from high school <!-- year? -->, Lee gained admission to [[Korea University]].
Lee Myung-bak (pronounced [i.mʲʌŋ.bak̚]) (born December 19, 1941) is the seventeenth and current President of South Korea. He previously served as the thirty-second mayor of Seoul and is a current member of the Grand National Party.
<!-- In his autobiography Lee writes that he was dismissed from Korea's mandatory military service due to a diagnosis of acute [[bronchiectasis]] while at the Nonsan training facility (논산훈련소).
Contents
http://news.vop.co.kr/A00000189799.html
[hide]
-->
<!-- Could someone find the name of the exact role he played in the demonstrations? The picture of the diagram that the police made of the 6.3 demonstration is illegible. -->
During his third year in college in 1964, Lee ran for the chairman of student council and was elected. In his autobiography "There Is No Myth," Lee recollects working odd jobs to put himself through college. That year, Lee participated in student demonstrations against President [[Park Chung-hee]]'s [[Seoul-Tokyo Talks]]. He was charged with plotting insurrection and was sentenced for five years' probation and three years' imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Korea. He served a little under three months of his term at the Seodaemun prison (서대문형무소)in Seoul.
<ref>Choice 2007 Lee Myung Bak
By Yeong-nam Jeong
[http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200612/h2006123121025021000.htm]
</ref>


Lee is married to Kim Yun-ok (b. 1947) and has three daughters and one son. Lee is also a declared [[Christian]] and an [[Elder (Methodism)|elder]] at Somang [[Presbyterian]] Church in [[Seoul]].
* 1 Early life and education
* 2 Business career
* 3 Early political career
* 4 Mayor of Seoul
* 5 Presidential bid
* 6 Cheonggyecheon, Kim Kyung-joon and the BBK
* 7 Presidency
o 7.1 Economic Policy
o 7.2 Foreign Policy
* 8 Criticism
* 9 References
* 10 Additional reading
* 11 External links


==Business career==
Early life and education


In 1965 he joined [[Hyundai Engineering and Construction]]. It was during his employment here that he met his mentor and [[Hyundai]] founder [[Chung Ju-yung|Chung Ju-Yung]]. The company had 90 employees and was expanding its operations in the [[Middle East]] during [[Miracle on the Han River|Korea's economic boom]] of the 1960's and 1970's. Within 5 years, he became an executive and became president in 1977. {{Fact|date=April 2008}}
Lee was born in the then Korean residential district of Hirano-ku, Osaka, Japan. At the time his father, Cheung-u Lee (이층우), worked as a farm hand on a cattle ranch in Japan. His is mother, Taewon Chae (채태원) was a housewife and a devout Christian. Lee has three brothers and three sisters. He is the fifth of seven children. After the end of World War II in 1945, his family returned to Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. [1] [2]


It was during his three decades with the Hyundai Group that Lee earned the nickname "Bulldozer" for his drive to push through challenges. In one instance, he completely took apart a bulldozer to study its mechanism and figure out why it kept breaking down.
At Pohang, Lee attended Dongji Commercial High School. A year after graduating from high school , Lee gained admission to Korea University. During his third year in college in 1964, Lee ran for the chairman of student council and was elected. In his autobiography "There Is No Myth," Lee recollects working odd jobs to put himself through college. That year, Lee participated in student demonstrations against President Park Chung-hee's Seoul-Tokyo Talks. He was charged with plotting insurrection and was sentenced for five years' probation and three years' imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Korea. He served a little under three months of his term at the Seodaemun prison (서대문형무소)in Seoul. [3]
When he started at Hyundai in 1965, it had 90 employees; when he left as chairman after 27 years, it had more than 160,000.<ref> New South Korean president — the right man at the right time
By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004083830_lee20.html]
</ref>


Lee's wealth was made during the real estate boom that occurred in South Korea during the 1970s through the 1990s. Through a series of [[Real estate in South Korea|real estate]] speculations Lee amassed over US$40 million. {{Fact|date=April 2008}}
Lee is married to Kim Yun-ok (b. 1947) and has three daughters and one son. Lee is also a declared Christian and an elder at Somang Presbyterian Church in Seoul.


He played a role in bringing about normalization of South Korea's relations with the [[USSR]]. Further, Lee also built relationships with foreign leaders, including former [[Singaporean]] prime minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]], former [[Malaysian]] prime minister [[Mahathir Mohamed]], former Chinese president [[Jiang Zemin]] and former [[Soviet]] leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]. {{Fact|date=April 2008}}
Business career


After leaving Hyundai, at the end of a 27 year career, he decided to enter [[politics]].
In 1965 he joined Hyundai Engineering and Construction. It was during his employment here that he met his mentor and Hyundai founder Chung Ju-Yung. The company had 90 employees and was expanding its operations in the Middle East during Korea's economic boom of the 1960's and 1970's. Within 5 years, he became an executive and became president in 1977.[citation needed]


==Early political career==
It was during his three decades with the Hyundai Group that Lee earned the nickname "Bulldozer" for his drive to push through challenges. In one instance, he completely took apart a bulldozer to study its mechanism and figure out why it kept breaking down. When he started at Hyundai in 1965, it had 90 employees; when he left as chairman after 27 years, it had more than 160,000.[4]
In 1992 Lee made a transition from business to politics. Lee was elected as a member of the 14th Korean National assembly. During his campaign he stated he ran because "After watching [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] change the world climate I wanted to see if there was anything I could do." <ref> Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership.
By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times
[http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200712192305271&code=910112]
</ref>


==Mayor of Seoul==
Lee's wealth was made during the real estate boom that occurred in South Korea during the 1970s through the 1990s. Through a series of real estate speculations Lee amassed over US$40 million.[citation needed]
The rapid development that remade the nation and lifted millions out of poverty in the 1960's and 1970's had a lasting effect on South Korea. Seoul, while having been transformed from a semi-feudal city to one with modern infrastructure, had also seen its urbanism suffer in the process. Lee said he tried to achieve a balance between function and the environment.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1663317_1663319_1669884,00.html Heroes of the environment: Lee Myung-bak.] Time Asia, 9 May, 2007 </ref> <!-- WHAT KIND OF PARAGRAPH IS THIS? PLEASE SOMEONE REVIEW AND REVISE: BY TOESTI -->


He told the city's people that he would remove the elevated highway that ran through the heart of Seoul and restore the buried [[Cheonggyecheon]] stream — an urban waterway that Lee himself had helped pave over in the 1960s. His opponents insisted that the plan would cause traffic chaos and cost billions. Three years later, Cheonggyecheon was reborn changing the face of Seoul. Lee also revamped the city's transportation system, adding clean rapid-transit buses. <!-- WHAT KIND OF PARAGRAPH IS THIS? PLEASE SOMEONE REVIEW AND REVISE: BY TOESTI -->
He played a role in bringing about normalization of South Korea's relations with the USSR. Further, Lee also built relationships with foreign leaders, including former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamed, former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.[citation needed]


==Presidential bid ==
After leaving Hyundai, at the end of a 27 year career, he decided to enter politics.
{{main|South Korean presidential election, 2007}}
On [[May 10]], [[2007]], Lee officially declared his intention to run for the [[Grand National Party]] as its presidential candidate. On [[August 20]] [[2007]], he defeated [[Park Geun-hye]] in the GNP's primary to become its nominee for the [[South Korean presidential election, 2007|2007 Presidential election]]. During the primary, Lee was accused of profiting from real estate speculation from land that he owned in Dogok, a highly expensive district in Seoul.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}


A major policy of his platform is the [[Grand Korean Waterway|Pan Korea Grand Waterway (한반도 대운하)]] project from [[Busan]] to Seoul, which he believes will lead to an economic revival. His stated goals are expressed in the 747 plan, which are: 7% annual growth in [[GDP]], $40,000 USD per capita, and making Korea the world's seventh [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|largest economy]]. His rivals criticize that the project is unrealistic and costly to be realized. Others are concerned of possible ill effects that such projects would have to the environment.
Early political career


On [[September 6]], [[2007]], the South Korean presidential office announced that it would file forthwith a [[libel]] case against Lee. Chief presidential secretary Moon Jae-In said that the case would be filed to preserve trust in the government.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/298176/1/.html Channelnewsasia.com, South Korea presidency to sue opposition frontrunner]</ref>
In 1992 Lee made a transition from business to politics. Lee was elected as a member of the 14th Korean National assembly. During his campaign he stated he ran because "After watching Mikhail Gorbachev change the world climate I wanted to see if there was anything I could do." [5]


Signaling a departure from his previous views on North Korea, Lee announced a comprehensive plan for engaging North Korea involving investment as opposed to aid. Lee promised to form a consultative body with the North to discuss furthering economic ties. The body would have subcommittees on economy, education, finance, infrastructure and welfare and a cooperation fund of $40 billion. He would seek a [[Korean reunification#Korean Economic Community|Korean Economic Community]] agreement to establish the legal and systemic framework for any projects emerging from the negotiations. Lee also called for forming an aid office in North Korea as a way of decoupling humanitarian aid from nuclear talks.<ref>[http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200709/200709110015.html The Chosun Ilbo, Lee Myung-bak Unveils Inter-Korean Cooperation Plans]</ref>
Mayor of Seoul


His foreign policy initiative is called [[MB Doctrine]],<ref> {{cite news
The rapid development that remade the nation and lifted millions out of poverty in the 1960's and 1970's had a lasting effect on South Korea. Seoul, while having been transformed from a semi-feudal city to one with modern infrastructure, had also seen its urbanism suffer in the process. Lee said he tried to achieve a balance between function and the environment.[6]
| last= Jin
| first= Dae-woong
| url= http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2007/12/21/200712210050.asp
| title= Veteran diplomats, academics formulate the MB doctrine
| publisher= [[The Korea Herald]]
| date= 21 December 2007
}} </ref> which advocates engaging North Korea and strengthening the US-Korean alliance.


Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote.<ref name=AR/> He took the oath of office as South Korea's new president [[February 25]] [[2008]], vowing to revitalize the economy, strengthen relations with the [[United States]] and deal with nuclear-armed [[North Korea]].<ref> {{cite news
He told the city's people that he would remove the elevated highway that ran through the heart of Seoul and restore the buried Cheonggyecheon stream — an urban waterway that Lee himself had helped pave over in the 1960s. His opponents insisted that the plan would cause traffic chaos and cost billions. Three years later, Cheonggyecheon was reborn changing the face of Seoul. Lee also revamped the city's transportation system, adding clean rapid-transit buses.
| last= CNN
| url= http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/24/skorea.president.ap/index.html
| title= Lee becomes South Korean president
| publisher= [[CNN]]
| date= 25 February 2008
}} </ref>


== Cheonggyecheon, Kim Kyung-joon and the BBK ==
Presidential bid


Lee's political ambitions started in 1990s. After he became a second-term lawmaker in 1996 in Seoul, it was disclosed that he had spent excessively in his election campaign. He resigned in 1998 after being fined 7 million won for breaking the Election Law.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee's ascent marked by persistence |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2879518 |publisher=[[The JoongAng Daily]] (English Edition) |date=2007-08-21 |accessdate=2008-01-11 |}}</ref>
Main article: South Korean presidential election, 2007


In 1999 Lee set up several companies for electronic financial services. During this time, he met [[Kim Kyung-joon]]. Lee established the LKE Bank with Kim Kyung-joon but this enterprise went bankrupt less than a year later and 5,500 investors lost substantial amounts of money.
On May 10, 2007, Lee officially declared his intention to run for the Grand National Party as its presidential candidate. On August 20, 2007, he defeated Park Geun-hye in the GNP's primary to become its nominee for the 2007 Presidential election. During the primary, Lee was accused of profiting from real estate speculation from land that he owned in Dogok, a highly expensive district in Seoul.[citation needed]


In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of [[Seoul]] and won the election. However, he was fined for beginning election activities too early.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Lee escaped the two-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors. During his tenure as mayor, he was noted for the restoration of the [[Cheonggyecheon]], a popular stream in Seoul.
A major policy of his platform is the Pan Korea Grand Waterway (한반도 대운하) project from Busan to Seoul, which he believes will lead to an economic revival. His stated goals are expressed in the 747 plan, which are: 7% annual growth in GDP, $40,000 USD per capita, and making Korea the world's seventh largest economy. His rivals criticize that the project is unrealistic and costly to be realized. Others are concerned of possible ill effects that such projects would have to the environment.


During the [[South Korean presidential election, 2007|2007 Election]], questions about his relationship with a company called [[BBK]] were raised. Supposed BBK founder [[Kim Kyung-joon]] is being investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. Kim Kyung-joon had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK, claiming that he had never held even a single share in it. However, Kim later suggested that Lee had in fact directed BBK activities.
On September 6, 2007, the South Korean presidential office announced that it would file forthwith a libel case against Lee. Chief presidential secretary Moon Jae-In said that the case would be filed to preserve trust in the government.[7]


Kim Hong-il of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office cleared Lee of any wrongdoing, but three days before the election a video of a speech Lee gave to students at [[Kwangwoon University]] in October 2000 surfaced, in which Lee stated that he had founded BBK.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBK Video Clip Revives UNDP-GNP Tensions |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007121719058 |publisher=[[Dong-A Ilbo]] (English Edition) |date=2007-12-17 |accessdate=2007-12-20 }} </ref> Two days before the election, the [[National Assembly of South Korea|National Assembly]] appointed a [[special counsel|special prosecutor]] to investigate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Special Counsel to Probe Lee Myung-bak |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200712/200712180010.html |publisher=[[Chosun ilbo|Digital Chosunilbo]] (English Edition) |date=2007-12-18 |accessdate=2007-12-20 |}}</ref>
Signaling a departure from his previous views on North Korea, Lee announced a comprehensive plan for engaging North Korea involving investment as opposed to aid. Lee promised to form a consultative body with the North to discuss furthering economic ties. The body would have subcommittees on economy, education, finance, infrastructure and welfare and a cooperation fund of $40 billion. He would seek a Korean Economic Community agreement to establish the legal and systemic framework for any projects emerging from the negotiations. Lee also called for forming an aid office in North Korea as a way of decoupling humanitarian aid from nuclear talks.[8]

His foreign policy initiative is called MB Doctrine,[9] which advocates engaging North Korea and strengthening the US-Korean alliance.

Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote.[10] He took the oath of office as South Korea's new president February 25, 2008, vowing to revitalize the economy, strengthen relations with the United States and deal with nuclear-armed North Korea.[11]

Cheonggyecheon, Kim Kyung-joon and the BBK

Lee's political ambitions started in 1990s. After he became a second-term lawmaker in 1996 in Seoul, it was disclosed that he had spent excessively in his election campaign. He resigned in 1998 after being fined 7 million won for breaking the Election Law.[12]

In 1999 Lee set up several companies for electronic financial services. During this time, he met Kim Kyung-joon. Lee established the LKE Bank with Kim Kyung-joon but this enterprise went bankrupt less than a year later and 5,500 investors lost substantial amounts of money.

In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of Seoul and won the election. However, he was fined for beginning election activities too early.[citation needed] Lee escaped the two-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors. During his tenure as mayor, he was noted for the restoration of the Cheonggyecheon, a popular stream in Seoul.

During the 2007 Election, questions about his relationship with a company called BBK were raised. Supposed BBK founder Kim Kyung-joon is being investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. Kim Kyung-joon had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK, claiming that he had never held even a single share in it. However, Kim later suggested that Lee had in fact directed BBK activities.

Kim Hong-il of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office cleared Lee of any wrongdoing, but three days before the election a video of a speech Lee gave to students at Kwangwoon University in October 2000 surfaced, in which Lee stated that he had founded BBK.[13] Two days before the election, the National Assembly appointed a special prosecutor to investigate.[14]


Days before he took office, the Special Investigation team has cleared President Lee of all charges regarding accusations regarding embezzlement funds and BBK.
Days before he took office, the Special Investigation team has cleared President Lee of all charges regarding accusations regarding embezzlement funds and BBK.


Presidency
==Presidency==
Lee began his presidency [[February 25]], [[2008]]. With 48.7% of the [[South Korean presidential election, 2007#Final result|vote]], he defeated rivals [[Chung Dong-young]] (26%) and [[Lee Hoi-chang]] (15%) in the [[South Korean presidential election, 2007|December 2007 presidential election]].<ref name=AR>[http://www.angus-reid.com/tracker/view/14651 Angus Reid page on South Korea].</ref> However, due to voter turnout of only 60%, one of the lowest ever for a [[Elections in South Korea|South Korean election]],<ref name=BBC> {{cite news
| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7150806.stm
| title= Lee wins South Korea's election
| publisher= [[BBC News]]
| date= 19 December 2007
}} </ref> the total number of votes Lee won was less than what Roh Moo-hyun won in the previous election.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Lee Myung-Bak won SKorea poll with 48.7 percent of vote - election commission |url=http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/12/19/afx4460227.html |publisher=Thomson Financial News / Forbes.com
|date=2007-12-19
|accessdate=2007-12-20 }}</ref>


====Economic Policy====
Lee began his presidency February 25, 2008. With 48.7% of the vote, he defeated rivals Chung Dong-young (26%) and Lee Hoi-chang (15%) in the December 2007 presidential election.[10] However, due to voter turnout of only 60%, one of the lowest ever for a South Korean election,[15] the total number of votes Lee won was less than what Roh Moo-hyun won in the previous election.[16]
Lee's promise to build the [[Grand Korean Waterway]] as a major public work creating 300,000 jobs, revitalizing the South Korean interior communities, diversifying domestic transportation, and improving tourism has been stalled due to low public opinion.<ref>{{cite news
|title=South Korean Plans for a Grand Canal: Savior or Folly?
|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/20/asia/canal.php
|publisher=[[International Herald Tribune]]
|date=2008-2-20
|accessdate=2008-3-4 |}}</ref>
His economic goals are summed up in the [[747 Plan]].


Economic Policy
====Foreign Policy====
Lee has stated his intentions to pursue a tough policy with [[North Korea]] and a friendly relationship with the [[United States]], which is part of [[MB Doctrine]]. Lee has stated that he wants to restore better relations with the [[United States]] for a greater emphasis on [[free market]] solutions.<ref>[http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=15851&categoryCode=180 The Korea Times, President-Elect Vows Creative Diplomacy]</ref>


==Criticism==
Lee's promise to build the Grand Korean Waterway as a major public work creating 300,000 jobs, revitalizing the South Korean interior communities, diversifying domestic transportation, and improving tourism has been stalled due to low public opinion.[17] His economic goals are summed up in the 747 Plan.


{{POV-section|date=March 2008}}
Foreign Policy


Although he has claimed efficiency and pragmatism as his advantages over other presidential candidates and that he is the best president to revitalize the economy, his leadership and way or working has been being criticized by many professors and citizens.
Lee has stated his intentions to pursue a tough policy with North Korea and a friendly relationship with the United States, which is part of MB Doctrine. Lee has stated that he wants to restore better relations with the United States for a greater emphasis on free market solutions.[18]

Criticism
The neutrality of this section is disputed.
Please see the discussion on the talk page.
This section has been tagged since March 2008.

Although he has claimed efficiency and pragmatism as his advantages over other presidential candidates and that he is the best president to revitalize the economy, his leadership and way or working has been being criticized by many professors and citizens.


For example, it has been pointed out that he tries to get his country back to the 1970s by stressing that the people (especially public officials) working more from early in the morning to late at night, ignoring efficiency and quality of life.
For example, it has been pointed out that he tries to get his country back to the 1970s by stressing that the people (especially public officials) working more from early in the morning to late at night, ignoring efficiency and quality of life.
Line 126: Line 153:
His philosophy and leadership is also being doubted because of making the bureaucracies an enemy instead of getting their support and leading them harmoniously. Some people analyze his antipathy against bureaucracies can be traced back to his experiences as a chief executive officer in the 1970s.
His philosophy and leadership is also being doubted because of making the bureaucracies an enemy instead of getting their support and leading them harmoniously. Some people analyze his antipathy against bureaucracies can be traced back to his experiences as a chief executive officer in the 1970s.


Roughly a year before his presidential election, Lee Myung-bak expressed support for a group of Christians that "prayed for the destruction of all Buddhist temples of South Korea".[19]
Roughly a year before his presidential election, Lee Myung-bak expressed support for a group of [[Christians]] that "prayed for the destruction of all Buddhist temples of South Korea".<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQzS7RA9zU</ref>


On March 13 2008 a Korean Buddhist monk started a peaceful protest towards the presidential see.[20] The protest aim was to prevent Lee Myung-bak from building the Grand Korean Waterway, a project expected to cause an environmental disaster, and for which construction several major temples of Korean Buddhism will be dismantled, destroying the Korean heart of the religion.[20]
On March 13 2008 a [[Korean Buddhism|Korean Buddhist]] monk started a peaceful protest towards the presidential see.<ref name="Buddhist-environmental issue">http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=45,6048,0,0,1,0</ref> The protest aim was to prevent Lee Myung-bak from building the [[Grand Korean Waterway]], a project expected to cause an environmental disaster, and for which construction several [[Korean Buddhist temples|major temples]] of Korean Buddhism will be dismantled, destroying the Korean heart of the religion.<ref name="Buddhist-environmental issue"/>


While mayor of Seoul, Lee referred to the city as a holy place for Christians, and during his presidential campaign he attended a sermon in which the minister called for the eradication of Buddhism from Korea. The president reportedly applauded.[20][citation needed]
While mayor of [[Seoul]], Lee referred to the city as a holy place for Christians, and during his presidential campaign he attended a sermon in which the minister called for the eradication of [[Buddhism]] from Korea. The president reportedly applauded.<ref name="Buddhist-environmental issue"/> {{Fact|date=April 2008}}


References
==References==
{{reflist}}


==Additional reading==
1. ^ Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership. By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times [1]
*[[The JoongAng Daily]], [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2879518 Lee's ascent marked by persistence]
2. ^ Special Report: Verifying Lee's Japanese birth. By Byeong-cheol Jeong [2]
*[[The Hankyoreh]], [http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/230316.html Who is Lee Myung-bak?]
3. ^ Choice 2007 Lee Myung Bak By Yeong-nam Jeong [3]
*[[The Korea Times]], [http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/08/180_8650.html Economy-First Trademark Gives Lee Myung-bak Edge]
4. ^ New South Korean president — the right man at the right time. And he is so cute and he kisses me every day. i am his son and he like me By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post [4]
*[[The Chosun Ilbo]], [http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200710/200710170022.html TIME Names Lee Myung-bak 'Hero of Environment']
5. ^ Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership. By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times [5]
*[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200601/kt2006011120253211950.htm Meet the Presidential Hopefuls: Lee Myung-bak] at The Korea Times
6. ^ Heroes of the environment: Lee Myung-bak. Time Asia, 9 May, 2007
*[http://www.ittimes.co.kr/en/node.asp?em=M&mcode=200509&idx=683 Interview] with the Korea IT Times, September 2005
7. ^ Channelnewsasia.com, South Korea presidency to sue opposition frontrunner
*[http://english.people.com.cn/200407/13/eng20040713_149437.html "Seoul mayor sued for traffic chaos"], [[People's Daily]], July 14, 2004
8. ^ The Chosun Ilbo, Lee Myung-bak Unveils Inter-Korean Cooperation Plans
*[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200407/kt2004070117122044430.htm Interview] with the Korea Times, July 1, 2004
9. ^ Jin, Dae-woong. "Veteran diplomats, academics formulate the MB doctrine", The Korea Herald, 21 December 2007.
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/world/asia/20lee.html?ex=1355806800&en=7dcc4212d92e88e7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss The Evolution of a Man Called ‘Bulldozer’] NYT, December 20, 2007
10. ^ a b Angus Reid page on South Korea.
11. ^ CNN. "Lee becomes South Korean president", CNN, 25 February 2008.
12. ^ "Lee's ascent marked by persistence", The JoongAng Daily (English Edition), 2007-08-21. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
13. ^ "BBK Video Clip Revives UNDP-GNP Tensions", Dong-A Ilbo (English Edition), 2007-12-17. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
14. ^ "Special Counsel to Probe Lee Myung-bak", Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition), 2007-12-18. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
15. ^ "Lee wins South Korea's election", BBC News, 19 December 2007.
16. ^ "Lee Myung-Bak won SKorea poll with 48.7 percent of vote - election commission", Thomson Financial News / Forbes.com, 2007-12-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
17. ^ "South Korean Plans for a Grand Canal: Savior or Folly?", International Herald Tribune, 2008-2-20. Retrieved on 2008-3-4.
18. ^ The Korea Times, President-Elect Vows Creative Diplomacy
19. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQzS7RA9zU
20. ^ a b c http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=45,6048,0,0,1,0

Additional reading

* The JoongAng Daily, Lee's ascent marked by persistence
* The Hankyoreh, Who is Lee Myung-bak?
* The Korea Times, Economy-First Trademark Gives Lee Myung-bak Edge
* The Chosun Ilbo, TIME Names Lee Myung-bak 'Hero of Environment'
* Meet the Presidential Hopefuls: Lee Myung-bak at The Korea Times
* Interview with the Korea IT Times, September 2005
* "Seoul mayor sued for traffic chaos", People's Daily, July 14, 2004
* Interview with the Korea Times, July 1, 2004
* The Evolution of a Man Called ‘Bulldozer’ NYT, December 20, 2007

External links
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Lee Myung-bak

* Official Website (in English)
* Official website (in Korean)
* Lee Myung Bak's Cyworld Minihomepage

Political offices
Preceded by
Roh Moo-hyun President of South Korea
2008 – present Incumbent
Preceded by
Goh Kun Mayor of Seoul
2002 – 2006 Succeeded by
Oh Se-hoon


Presidents of South Korea
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Republic: Rhee Syng-man | Yun Bo-seon | Park Chung-hee | Choi Kyu-hah | Chun Doo-hwan | Roh Tae-woo | Kim Young-sam | Kim Dae-jung | Roh Moo-hyun | Lee Myung-bak
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Revision as of 13:17, 17 April 2008

Template:Korean name

Lee Myung-bak
이명박
李明博
Lee Myung-bak at an interview in 2005 at the Cheonggyechon stream restoration site
President of South Korea
Assumed office
25 February 2008
Prime MinisterHan Duck-soo
Han Seung-soo
Preceded byRoh Moo-hyun
Personal details
Born (1941-12-19) 19 December 1941 (age 82)
Hirano, Osaka, Japan
Political partyGNP
SpouseKim Yun-ok
Lee Myung-bak
Hangul
이명박
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Myeongbak
McCune–ReischauerI Myŏngbak

Lee Myung-bak (IPA: [i.mʲʌŋ.bak̚]) (born December 19, 1941) is the seventeenth and current President of South Korea. He previously served as the thirty-second mayor of Seoul and is a current member of the Grand National Party.

Early life and education

Lee was born in the then Korean residential district of Hirano-ku, Osaka, Japan. At the time his father, Cheung-u Lee (이층우), worked as a farm hand on a cattle ranch in Japan. His is mother, Taewon Chae (채태원) was a housewife and a devout Christian. Lee has three brothers and three sisters. He is the fifth of seven children. After the end of World War II in 1945, his family returned to Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. [1] [2]

At Pohang, Lee attended Dongji Commercial High School. A year after graduating from high school , Lee gained admission to Korea University. During his third year in college in 1964, Lee ran for the chairman of student council and was elected. In his autobiography "There Is No Myth," Lee recollects working odd jobs to put himself through college. That year, Lee participated in student demonstrations against President Park Chung-hee's Seoul-Tokyo Talks. He was charged with plotting insurrection and was sentenced for five years' probation and three years' imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Korea. He served a little under three months of his term at the Seodaemun prison (서대문형무소)in Seoul. [3]

Lee is married to Kim Yun-ok (b. 1947) and has three daughters and one son. Lee is also a declared Christian and an elder at Somang Presbyterian Church in Seoul.

Business career

In 1965 he joined Hyundai Engineering and Construction. It was during his employment here that he met his mentor and Hyundai founder Chung Ju-Yung. The company had 90 employees and was expanding its operations in the Middle East during Korea's economic boom of the 1960's and 1970's. Within 5 years, he became an executive and became president in 1977. [citation needed]

It was during his three decades with the Hyundai Group that Lee earned the nickname "Bulldozer" for his drive to push through challenges. In one instance, he completely took apart a bulldozer to study its mechanism and figure out why it kept breaking down. When he started at Hyundai in 1965, it had 90 employees; when he left as chairman after 27 years, it had more than 160,000.[4]

Lee's wealth was made during the real estate boom that occurred in South Korea during the 1970s through the 1990s. Through a series of real estate speculations Lee amassed over US$40 million. [citation needed]

He played a role in bringing about normalization of South Korea's relations with the USSR. Further, Lee also built relationships with foreign leaders, including former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamed, former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. [citation needed]

After leaving Hyundai, at the end of a 27 year career, he decided to enter politics.

Early political career

In 1992 Lee made a transition from business to politics. Lee was elected as a member of the 14th Korean National assembly. During his campaign he stated he ran because "After watching Mikhail Gorbachev change the world climate I wanted to see if there was anything I could do." [5]

Mayor of Seoul

The rapid development that remade the nation and lifted millions out of poverty in the 1960's and 1970's had a lasting effect on South Korea. Seoul, while having been transformed from a semi-feudal city to one with modern infrastructure, had also seen its urbanism suffer in the process. Lee said he tried to achieve a balance between function and the environment.[6]

He told the city's people that he would remove the elevated highway that ran through the heart of Seoul and restore the buried Cheonggyecheon stream — an urban waterway that Lee himself had helped pave over in the 1960s. His opponents insisted that the plan would cause traffic chaos and cost billions. Three years later, Cheonggyecheon was reborn changing the face of Seoul. Lee also revamped the city's transportation system, adding clean rapid-transit buses.

Presidential bid

Main article: South Korean presidential election, 2007

On May 10, 2007, Lee officially declared his intention to run for the Grand National Party as its presidential candidate. On August 20 2007, he defeated Park Geun-hye in the GNP's primary to become its nominee for the 2007 Presidential election. During the primary, Lee was accused of profiting from real estate speculation from land that he owned in Dogok, a highly expensive district in Seoul.[citation needed]

A major policy of his platform is the Pan Korea Grand Waterway (한반도 대운하) project from Busan to Seoul, which he believes will lead to an economic revival. His stated goals are expressed in the 747 plan, which are: 7% annual growth in GDP, $40,000 USD per capita, and making Korea the world's seventh largest economy. His rivals criticize that the project is unrealistic and costly to be realized. Others are concerned of possible ill effects that such projects would have to the environment.

On September 6, 2007, the South Korean presidential office announced that it would file forthwith a libel case against Lee. Chief presidential secretary Moon Jae-In said that the case would be filed to preserve trust in the government.[7]

Signaling a departure from his previous views on North Korea, Lee announced a comprehensive plan for engaging North Korea involving investment as opposed to aid. Lee promised to form a consultative body with the North to discuss furthering economic ties. The body would have subcommittees on economy, education, finance, infrastructure and welfare and a cooperation fund of $40 billion. He would seek a Korean Economic Community agreement to establish the legal and systemic framework for any projects emerging from the negotiations. Lee also called for forming an aid office in North Korea as a way of decoupling humanitarian aid from nuclear talks.[8]

His foreign policy initiative is called MB Doctrine,[9] which advocates engaging North Korea and strengthening the US-Korean alliance.

Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote.[10] He took the oath of office as South Korea's new president February 25 2008, vowing to revitalize the economy, strengthen relations with the United States and deal with nuclear-armed North Korea.[11]

Cheonggyecheon, Kim Kyung-joon and the BBK

Lee's political ambitions started in 1990s. After he became a second-term lawmaker in 1996 in Seoul, it was disclosed that he had spent excessively in his election campaign. He resigned in 1998 after being fined 7 million won for breaking the Election Law.[12]

In 1999 Lee set up several companies for electronic financial services. During this time, he met Kim Kyung-joon. Lee established the LKE Bank with Kim Kyung-joon but this enterprise went bankrupt less than a year later and 5,500 investors lost substantial amounts of money.

In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of Seoul and won the election. However, he was fined for beginning election activities too early.[citation needed] Lee escaped the two-year prison sentence sought by prosecutors. During his tenure as mayor, he was noted for the restoration of the Cheonggyecheon, a popular stream in Seoul.

During the 2007 Election, questions about his relationship with a company called BBK were raised. Supposed BBK founder Kim Kyung-joon is being investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. Kim Kyung-joon had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK, claiming that he had never held even a single share in it. However, Kim later suggested that Lee had in fact directed BBK activities.

Kim Hong-il of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office cleared Lee of any wrongdoing, but three days before the election a video of a speech Lee gave to students at Kwangwoon University in October 2000 surfaced, in which Lee stated that he had founded BBK.[13] Two days before the election, the National Assembly appointed a special prosecutor to investigate.[14]

Days before he took office, the Special Investigation team has cleared President Lee of all charges regarding accusations regarding embezzlement funds and BBK.

Presidency

Lee began his presidency February 25, 2008. With 48.7% of the vote, he defeated rivals Chung Dong-young (26%) and Lee Hoi-chang (15%) in the December 2007 presidential election.[10] However, due to voter turnout of only 60%, one of the lowest ever for a South Korean election,[15] the total number of votes Lee won was less than what Roh Moo-hyun won in the previous election.[16]

Economic Policy

Lee's promise to build the Grand Korean Waterway as a major public work creating 300,000 jobs, revitalizing the South Korean interior communities, diversifying domestic transportation, and improving tourism has been stalled due to low public opinion.[17] His economic goals are summed up in the 747 Plan.

Foreign Policy

Lee has stated his intentions to pursue a tough policy with North Korea and a friendly relationship with the United States, which is part of MB Doctrine. Lee has stated that he wants to restore better relations with the United States for a greater emphasis on free market solutions.[18]

Criticism

Although he has claimed efficiency and pragmatism as his advantages over other presidential candidates and that he is the best president to revitalize the economy, his leadership and way or working has been being criticized by many professors and citizens.

For example, it has been pointed out that he tries to get his country back to the 1970s by stressing that the people (especially public officials) working more from early in the morning to late at night, ignoring efficiency and quality of life.

His philosophy and leadership is also being doubted because of making the bureaucracies an enemy instead of getting their support and leading them harmoniously. Some people analyze his antipathy against bureaucracies can be traced back to his experiences as a chief executive officer in the 1970s.

Roughly a year before his presidential election, Lee Myung-bak expressed support for a group of Christians that "prayed for the destruction of all Buddhist temples of South Korea".[19]

On March 13 2008 a Korean Buddhist monk started a peaceful protest towards the presidential see.[20] The protest aim was to prevent Lee Myung-bak from building the Grand Korean Waterway, a project expected to cause an environmental disaster, and for which construction several major temples of Korean Buddhism will be dismantled, destroying the Korean heart of the religion.[20]

While mayor of Seoul, Lee referred to the city as a holy place for Christians, and during his presidential campaign he attended a sermon in which the minister called for the eradication of Buddhism from Korea. The president reportedly applauded.[20] [citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership. By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times [1]
  2. ^ Special Report: Verifying Lee's Japanese birth. By Byeong-cheol Jeong [2]
  3. ^ Choice 2007 Lee Myung Bak By Yeong-nam Jeong [3]
  4. ^ New South Korean president — the right man at the right time By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post [4]
  5. ^ Lee Myung Bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership. By Yongwhan Kim, Kyunghyang Times [5]
  6. ^ Heroes of the environment: Lee Myung-bak. Time Asia, 9 May, 2007
  7. ^ Channelnewsasia.com, South Korea presidency to sue opposition frontrunner
  8. ^ The Chosun Ilbo, Lee Myung-bak Unveils Inter-Korean Cooperation Plans
  9. ^ Jin, Dae-woong (21 December 2007). "Veteran diplomats, academics formulate the MB doctrine". The Korea Herald.
  10. ^ a b Angus Reid page on South Korea.
  11. ^ CNN (25 February 2008). "Lee becomes South Korean president". CNN. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ "Lee's ascent marked by persistence". The JoongAng Daily (English Edition). 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ "BBK Video Clip Revives UNDP-GNP Tensions". Dong-A Ilbo (English Edition). 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  14. ^ "Special Counsel to Probe Lee Myung-bak". Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition). 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2007-12-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  15. ^ "Lee wins South Korea's election". BBC News. 19 December 2007.
  16. ^ "Lee Myung-Bak won SKorea poll with 48.7 percent of vote - election commission". Thomson Financial News / Forbes.com. 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  17. ^ "South Korean Plans for a Grand Canal: Savior or Folly?". International Herald Tribune. 2008-2-20. Retrieved 2008-3-4. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  18. ^ The Korea Times, President-Elect Vows Creative Diplomacy
  19. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQzS7RA9zU
  20. ^ a b c http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=45,6048,0,0,1,0

Additional reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lee Myung-bak.
Political offices

Template:Incumbent succession box

Preceded by Mayor of Seoul
2002 – 2006 		Succeeded by

Template:PresidentSKorea

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lee_Myung-bak&oldid=206236043"