Lee Myung-bak: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013}} |
{{short description|President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} |
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{{family name hatnote|Lee|lang=Korean}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| honorific-prefix = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] |
| honorific-prefix = [[Excellency|His Excellency]] |
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| predecessor2 = Lee Jong-chan |
| predecessor2 = Lee Jong-chan |
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| successor2 = [[Roh Moo-hyun]] |
| successor2 = [[Roh Moo-hyun]] |
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| constituency2 = [[Jongno |
| constituency2 = [[Jongno (constituency)|Jongno]] ([[Seoul]]) |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|12|19|df=y}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|12|19|df=y}} |
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| term_start3 = 30 May 1992 |
| term_start3 = 30 May 1992 |
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| term_end3 = 29 May 1996 |
| term_end3 = 29 May 1996 |
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| constituency3 = Proportional representation |
| constituency3 = Proportional representation |
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| birth_place = [[Osaka]], [[Empire of Japan]] |
| birth_place = [[Osaka]], [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] |
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| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2017–present)<ref>[https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170101002500315 Former President Lee Myung-bak to leave Saenuri Party early this year] 1 January 2017 [[Yonhap News]]</ref> |
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2017–present)<ref>[https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170101002500315 Former President Lee Myung-bak to leave Saenuri Party early this year] 1 January 2017 [[Yonhap News]]</ref> |
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| otherparty = [[Liberty Korea Party|Saenuri]] (until 2017)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Onishi|first1=Norimitsu|title=Conservative Wins Vote in South Korea|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/world/asia/20korea.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=31 January 2018|date=20 December 2007}}</ref> |
| otherparty = [[Liberty Korea Party|Saenuri]] (until 2017)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Onishi|first1=Norimitsu|title=Conservative Wins Vote in South Korea|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/world/asia/20korea.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=31 January 2018|date=20 December 2007}}</ref> |
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| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kim Yoon-ok]]|1970}} |
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kim Yoon-ok]]|1970}} |
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| alma_mater = [[Korea University]] |
| alma_mater = [[Korea University]] ([[Bachelor of Business Administration|BBA]]) |
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| blank1 = Religion |
| blank1 = Religion |
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| data1 = [[Presbyterianism]] |
| data1 = [[Presbyterianism]] |
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|rrho = Ilsong |
|rrho = Ilsong |
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|mrho = Ilsong |
|mrho = Ilsong |
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|text = [[Japanese name]]:<br />{{Nihongo|Akihiro Tsukiyama|月|山明博|}}<ref>{{cite news | script-title = ko:이명박 선친의 성은 '쓰키야마(月山)'였다 | date = 19 January 2007 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200701/h2007011916152721000.htm | work = Hankook Ilbo | access-date = 8 March 2012 | language = ko | quote = Translation: "Our father once used the Japanese surname Tsukiyama (月山) during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese Colonial Period]]" said the National Assembly Vice Speaker [[Lee Sang-deuk]], in which he is also known as the older brother of the former Mayor of Seoul, Lee Myung-bak, as he also revealed that "Former Mayor Lee kept using the Japanese surname that our father used for some time after 1941". He mentioned "it was inevitable to change the surname, in which our father was a poor commoner like the majority of Koreans back then. It was sad part of the nation," during a recent interview from Shin Donga. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319201053/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200701/h2007011916152721000.htm | archive-date = 19 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>}} |
|text = [[Japanese name]]:<br />{{Nihongo|Akihiro Tsukiyama|月|山明博|}}<ref>{{cite news | script-title = ko:이명박 선친의 성은 '쓰키야마(月山)'였다 | date = 19 January 2007 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200701/h2007011916152721000.htm | work = [[Hankook Ilbo]] | access-date = 8 March 2012 | language = ko | quote = Translation: "Our father once used the Japanese surname Tsukiyama (月山) during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese Colonial Period]]" said the National Assembly Vice Speaker [[Lee Sang-deuk]], in which he is also known as the older brother of the former Mayor of Seoul, Lee Myung-bak, as he also revealed that "Former Mayor Lee kept using the Japanese surname that our father used for some time after 1941". He mentioned "it was inevitable to change the surname, in which our father was a poor commoner like the majority of Koreans back then. It was sad part of the nation," during a recent interview from Shin Donga. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319201053/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200701/h2007011916152721000.htm | archive-date = 19 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>}} |
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}} |
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'''Lee Myung-bak''' |
'''Lee Myung-bak''' ({{Korean|hangul=이명박}}; {{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|j|ʌ|ŋ|_|ˈ|b|ɑː|k}}; {{IPA-ko|i.mjʌŋ.bak̚|lang}};<!--The L is silent when spoken in a South Korean accent--> born 19 December 1941) often referred to by his initials '''MB''', is a South Korean businessman and politician who served as the [[List of presidents of South Korea|10th (17th election)]] [[president of South Korea]] from 2008 to 2013. Before his presidency, he was the CEO of [[Hyundai Engineering and Construction]], and the mayor of [[Seoul]] from 2002 to 2006. |
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He is married to [[Kim Yoon-ok]] and has three daughters and one son. His older brother, [[Lee Sang-deuk]], is a |
He is married to [[Kim Yoon-ok]] and has three daughters and one son. His older brother, [[Lee Sang-deuk]], is a South Korean politician. He is a Christian attending [[Somang Presbyterian Church]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Kim Seon-ju ({{lang|ko|김선주}}) | script-title=ko:'MB 황금인맥' 소망교회 뭐기에... | date = 24 May 2011 | url = http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2011052414553617249&outlink=1 | work = Money Today | access-date = 3 June 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> Lee is a graduate of [[Korea University]] and received an honorary degree from [[Paris Diderot University]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.univ-paris-diderot.fr/pageActu.php?num=3387 |title=Remise du titre de Docteur Honoris Causa – Université Paris Diderot |publisher=Univ-paris-diderot.fr |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318215956/http://www.univ-paris-diderot.fr/pageActu.php?num=3387 |archive-date=18 March 2012 }}</ref> |
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Lee altered the South Korean government's approach to [[North Korea]], preferring a more [[hardline]] strategy in the wake of increased provocation from the North, though he was supportive of regional dialogue with Russia, China and Japan. Under Lee, South Korea increased its visibility and influence in the global scene, resulting in the hosting of the [[2010 G-20 Seoul summit]].<ref>{{cite news | script-title=ko:이명박 정부 출범 2주년 외교 성과와 과제 – 조윤영(중앙대학교 교수, 국제정치학) | date = 3 March 2010 | url = http://kyoposhinmun.com/detail.php?number=3269&thread=14r04 | access-date = 26 November 2011 | title = Kyoposhinmun }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Achievements, Celebration and Homework: South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's State Visit to the United States | date = 26 November 2011 | url = http://www.brookings.edu/cnaps/brookings-northeast-asia-commentary.aspx | access-date = 26 November 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101117030837/http://www.brookings.edu/cnaps/brookings-northeast-asia-commentary.aspx | archive-date = 17 November 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = South Korea hopes G20 will put it in spotlight| date = 6 November 2010 | url = http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/south-korea-hopes-g20-will-put-it-in-spotlight | access-date = 26 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> However, significant controversy remains in Korea regarding high-profile government initiatives which have caused some [[Political faction|factions]] to engage in civil opposition and protest against the incumbent government and President Lee's [[Liberty Korea Party|Saenuri Party]] (formerly the Grand National Party).<ref>{{cite news | title = Seoul's Selection for Mayor May Signal Broader Change | date = 27 October 2011 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE1D6133AF934A15753C1A9679D8B63&ref=choesanghun | access-date = 26 November 2011 | work=The New York Times | first=Choe | last=Sang-Hun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = South Korea Approves Free Trade Pact With U.S.| date = 22 November 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/business/global/seoul-votes-a-chaotic-yes-to-free-trade-with-us.html?ref=internationaltradeandworldmarket | access-date = 26 November 2011 | work=The New York Times | first=Choe | last=Sang-Hun}}</ref> The [[reformism|reformist]] faction within the Saenuri Party was at odds |
Lee altered the South Korean government's approach to [[North Korea]], preferring a more [[hardline]] strategy in the wake of increased provocation from the North, though he was supportive of regional dialogue with Russia, China and Japan. Under Lee, South Korea increased its visibility and influence in the global scene, resulting in the hosting of the [[2010 G-20 Seoul summit]].<ref>{{cite news | script-title=ko:이명박 정부 출범 2주년 외교 성과와 과제 – 조윤영(중앙대학교 교수, 국제정치학) | date = 3 March 2010 | url = http://kyoposhinmun.com/detail.php?number=3269&thread=14r04 | access-date = 26 November 2011 | title = Kyoposhinmun }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Achievements, Celebration and Homework: South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's State Visit to the United States | date = 26 November 2011 | url = http://www.brookings.edu/cnaps/brookings-northeast-asia-commentary.aspx | access-date = 26 November 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101117030837/http://www.brookings.edu/cnaps/brookings-northeast-asia-commentary.aspx | archive-date = 17 November 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = South Korea hopes G20 will put it in spotlight| date = 6 November 2010 | url = http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/south-korea-hopes-g20-will-put-it-in-spotlight | access-date = 26 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> However, significant controversy remains in Korea regarding high-profile government initiatives which have caused some [[Political faction|factions]] to engage in civil opposition and protest against the incumbent government and President Lee's [[Liberty Korea Party|Saenuri Party]] (formerly the Grand National Party).<ref>{{cite news | title = Seoul's Selection for Mayor May Signal Broader Change | date = 27 October 2011 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE1D6133AF934A15753C1A9679D8B63&ref=choesanghun | access-date = 26 November 2011 | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Choe | last=Sang-Hun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = South Korea Approves Free Trade Pact With U.S.| date = 22 November 2011 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/business/global/seoul-votes-a-chaotic-yes-to-free-trade-with-us.html?ref=internationaltradeandworldmarket | access-date = 26 November 2011 | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Choe | last=Sang-Hun}}</ref> The [[reformism|reformist]] faction within the Saenuri Party was at odds with Lee.<ref>{{cite news | author = Kim Dong-guk ({{lang|ko|김동국}}) | script-title=ko:탈당 고민 깊어진 MB | date = 14 December 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201112/h2011121402435421080.htm | work = [[Hankook Ilbo]] | access-date = 11 January 2012 | language = ko}}</ref> He ended his five-year term on 24 February 2013, and was succeeded by [[Park Geun-hye]]. |
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On 22 March 2018, Lee was arrested on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion alleged to have occurred during his presidency.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|last1=Choe|first1=Sang-Hun|title=In South Korea, Another Former President Lands in Jail|url=https://nyti.ms/2G4IdSl|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 March 2018|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|last1=Dwyer|first1=Colin|title=Former South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak Is Arrested On Graft Charges|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/22/596046633/former-south-korean-president-lee-myung-bak-is-arrested-on-graft-charges|website=NPR.org|date=22 March 2018|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=Former South Korea president Lee Myung-bak arrested on corruption charges|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/south-korea-charges-bak-1.4587872|website |
On 22 March 2018, Lee was arrested on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion alleged to have occurred during his presidency.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|last1=Choe|first1=Sang-Hun|title=In South Korea, Another Former President Lands in Jail|url=https://nyti.ms/2G4IdSl|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=22 March 2018|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|last1=Dwyer|first1=Colin|title=Former South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak Is Arrested On Graft Charges|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/22/596046633/former-south-korean-president-lee-myung-bak-is-arrested-on-graft-charges|website=NPR.org|date=22 March 2018|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=Former South Korea president Lee Myung-bak arrested on corruption charges|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/south-korea-charges-bak-1.4587872|website=CBC News|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> Prosecutors accused Lee of receiving bribes totaling 11 billion [[South Korean won|won]] and channeling assets of 35 billion won to an illicit [[slush fund]].<ref name="auto2"/> Shortly before his arrest, Lee posted a handwritten statement on Facebook denying the charges.<ref name="auto1"/> Lee's arrest occurred roughly a year after the arrest of former president [[Park Geun-Hye]], who was arrested on charges stemming from the [[2016 South Korean political scandal]]. Lee was convicted on 5 October 2018 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.<ref name=bbcsource>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45756561 |title = South Korea ex-leader jailed for 15 years|work=[[BBC News]]|date = 5 October 2018}}</ref> On 29 October 2020, the Korean Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence against Lee given to him by an appellate court.<ref name=KH20201029>{{cite web |title=Supreme Court upholds 17-year sentence against ex-president Lee |publisher=[[The Korea Herald]] |date=29 October 2020 |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201029000871}}</ref> On 27 December 2022, President [[Yoon Suk-yeol]] granted Lee a special pardon, cancelling the remaining 15 years of the sentence.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Shin |first=Hyonhee |date=2022-12-27 |title=South Korea's former president Lee granted special pardon |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-former-president-lee-granted-special-pardon-2022-12-27/ |access-date=2022-12-27}}</ref> |
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==Early life and education== |
==Early life and education== |
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<!-- Is the fact that Lee had a Japanese name something that readers should take away? Who put it in bold in the first place. It isn't that relevant to the article; rather it shows how Korea was once annexed by Japan, and was almost on the verge of losing its own language.--> |
<!-- Is the fact that Lee had a Japanese name something that readers should take away? Who put it in bold in the first place. It isn't that relevant to the article; rather it shows how Korea was once annexed by Japan, and was almost on the verge of losing its own language.--> |
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Lee Myung-bak was born 19 December 1941, in [[Osaka]], Japan. His parents |
Lee Myung-bak was born 19 December 1941, in [[Osaka]], Japan. His parents emigrated to Japan in 1929, nineteen years after the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese annexation of Korea]]. Lee's father, Lee Chung-u (이충우; 李忠雨), was employed as a farm labourer in rural Japan, and his mother, Chae Tae-won (채태원; 蔡太元), was a housewife. He was the fifth of seven children. |
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In 1945, after the end of [[World War II]], his family returned to his father's hometown of [[Pohang]], in [[ |
In 1945, after the end of [[World War II]], his family returned to his father's hometown of [[Pohang]], in [[North Gyeongsang Province]], then an American-occupied portion of the [[Korean Peninsula]].<ref>[http://www.newstown.co.kr/newsbuilder/service/article/mess_main.asp?P_Index=48838 뉴스타운 – 선진한국 바른언론 ▒ 뉴스타운의 역사는 대한민국 인터넷신문의 역사입니다] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">Lee Myung-bak overcomes poverty and challenges to demonstrate CEO style leadership. |
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By Kim Yongwhan, Kyunghyang Times {{in lang|ko}} [http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200712192305271&code=910112] |
By Kim Yongwhan, Kyunghyang Times {{in lang|ko}} [http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200712192305271&code=910112] |
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</ref> Lee's sister, Lee Ki-sun, believed that they [[People smuggling|smuggle]]d themselves into the country to avoid having the officials confiscate the property they acquired in Japan. However, their ship was wrecked off the coast of [[Tsushima island]]. They lost all their belongings and barely survived. Lee personally witnessed the deaths of his older sister and a younger brother, who were killed in the bombardment of Pohang, during the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1663317_1663319_1669884,00.html|title=Lee Myung Bak|magazine=Time|date=17 October 2007|publisher=time.com |access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://japanese.joins.com/article/article.php?aid=96608&servcode=A00§code=A10 |title=JoongAng Ilbo |publisher=Japanese.joins.com |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
</ref> Lee's sister, Lee Ki-sun, believed that they [[People smuggling|smuggle]]d themselves into the country to avoid having the officials confiscate the property they acquired in Japan. However, their ship was wrecked off the coast of [[Tsushima island]]. They lost all their belongings and barely survived. Lee personally witnessed the deaths of his older sister and a younger brother, who were killed in the bombardment of Pohang, during the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1663317_1663319_1669884,00.html|title=Lee Myung Bak|magazine=Time|date=17 October 2007|publisher=time.com |access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://japanese.joins.com/article/article.php?aid=96608&servcode=A00§code=A10 |title=JoongAng Ilbo |publisher=Japanese.joins.com |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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Lee attended night school at Dongji Commercial High School in [[Pohang]] and received a scholarship. A year after graduation, Lee gained admission to [[Korea University]]. In 1964, during his third year in college, Lee was elected president of the student council. That year, Lee participated in [[June 3 Resistance movement|student demonstrations]] against President [[Park Chung |
Lee attended night school at Dongji Commercial High School in [[Pohang]] and received a scholarship. A year after graduation, Lee gained admission to [[Korea University]]. In 1964, during his third year in college, Lee was elected president of the student council. That year, Lee participated in [[June 3 Resistance movement|student demonstrations]] against President [[Park Chung Hee]]'s [[Seoul-Tokyo Talks]], taking issue with Japanese [[restitution]] for the colonization of the [[Korean Peninsula]]. He was charged with plotting [[Rebellion|insurrection]] and was sentenced to five years' probation and three years' imprisonment by the [[Supreme Court of Korea]]. He served a little under three months of his sentence at the [[Seodaemun Prison]] in Seoul.<ref>Choice 2007 Lee Myung-bak by Jeong Yeong-nam {{cite web|url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200612/h2006123121025021000.htm |title=한국일보 : [선택 2007] 이명박 |access-date=12 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313044116/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/200612/h2006123121025021000.htm |archive-date=13 March 2009 |language=ko}} |
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When he began work at Hyundai in 1965, the company had 90 employees; when he left as chairman 27 years later, it had more than 160,000.<ref>New South Korean president ? the right man at the right time By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post {{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004083830_lee20.html |title=Nation & World | New South Korean president — the right man at the right time | Seattle Times Newspaper |access-date=23 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174820/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004083830_lee20.html |archive-date=23 December 2007 }} |
When he began work at Hyundai in 1965, the company had 90 employees; when he left as chairman 27 years later, it had more than 160,000.<ref>New South Korean president ? the right man at the right time By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post {{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004083830_lee20.html |title=Nation & World | New South Korean president — the right man at the right time | Seattle Times Newspaper |access-date=23 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174820/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004083830_lee20.html |archive-date=23 December 2007 }} |
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</ref> Soon after the successful completion of the Pattani-Narathiwat Highway by Hyundai Construction, Korea's construction industry began to focus its efforts on encouraging the creation of new [[Market (economics)|market]]s in countries such as [[Vietnam]] and the Middle East. Following the decline of construction demands from Vietnam in the 1960s, Hyundai Construction turned its focus toward the Middle East. The company continued to be a major player in construction projects with the successful completion of international projects including the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard, the Diplomatic Hotel in [[Bahrain]], and the Jubail Industrial Harbor Projects in [[Saudi Arabia]], also known as "the great history of the 20th century". At that time, the amount of orders received by the Korean construction company exceeded US$10 billion, which contributed to overcoming the national crisis resulting from the oil shock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hani.co.kr/arti/economy/working/285529.html |title=현대건설 국외수주 600억달러 : 직장·창업·취업 : 경제 : 뉴스 : 한겨레 |date=2 May 2008 |publisher= |
</ref> Soon after the successful completion of the Pattani-Narathiwat Highway by Hyundai Construction, Korea's construction industry began to focus its efforts on encouraging the creation of new [[Market (economics)|market]]s in countries such as [[Vietnam]] and the Middle East. Following the decline of construction demands from Vietnam in the 1960s, Hyundai Construction turned its focus toward the Middle East. The company continued to be a major player in construction projects with the successful completion of international projects including the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard, the Diplomatic Hotel in [[Bahrain]], and the Jubail Industrial Harbor Projects in [[Saudi Arabia]], also known as "the great history of the 20th century". At that time, the amount of orders received by the Korean construction company exceeded US$10 billion, which contributed to overcoming the national crisis resulting from the oil shock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hani.co.kr/arti/economy/working/285529.html |title=현대건설 국외수주 600억달러 : 직장·창업·취업 : 경제 : 뉴스 : 한겨레 |date=2 May 2008 |publisher=[[The Hankyoreh]] |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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He left Hyundai after a 27-year career and decided to enter politics. |
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==Early political career== |
==Early political career== |
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In 1992, Lee made the transition from business to politics. He joined the [[New Korea Party|Democratic Liberal Party]] instead of the [[Unification National Party]], founded by [[Chung Ju-yung]]. He was elected as a member of the 14th [[National Assembly of South Korea|Korean National Assembly]] (for [[Proportional representation]]). Upon his election, he stated that he ran for the office because "after watching [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] change the world, I wanted to see if I could do the same."<ref name=autogenerated1/> In 1995, he ran for the city of Seoul's mayoral election, but |
In 1992, Lee made the transition from business to politics, leaving Hyundai after a 27-year career. He joined the [[New Korea Party|Democratic Liberal Party]] instead of the [[Unification National Party]], founded by [[Chung Ju-yung]]. He was elected as a member of the 14th [[National Assembly of South Korea|Korean National Assembly]] (for [[Proportional representation]]). Upon his election, he stated that he ran for the office because "after watching [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] change the world, I wanted to see if I could do the same."<ref name=autogenerated1/> In 1995, he ran for the city of Seoul's mayoral election, but lost to former prime minister [[Chung Won-sik]] during the [[Primary election|primary]] of the Democratic Liberal Party. |
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In 1996, Lee was reelected as a member of the Korean National Assembly, representing [[Jongno-gu]] in [[Seoul]]. |
In 1996, Lee was [[1996 South Korean legislative election|reelected]] as a member of the Korean National Assembly, representing [[Jongno (constituency)|Jongno-gu]] in [[Seoul]]. One of his opponents was future president [[Roh Moo-hyun]], who ranked third place. |
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In 1999, Lee was a [[visiting scholar]] at the [[George Washington University]], in Washington, DC.<ref>[https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/gw-president-steven-knapp-attend-inauguration-south-korean-president-lee-myung-bak GW President Steven Knapp to Attend Inauguration of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak]</ref> |
In 1999, Lee was a [[visiting scholar]] at the [[George Washington University]], in Washington, DC.<ref>[https://mediarelations.gwu.edu/gw-president-steven-knapp-attend-inauguration-south-korean-president-lee-myung-bak GW President Steven Knapp to Attend Inauguration of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak]</ref> |
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Into his second-term, his former secretary Kim Yoo-chan disclosed that Lee had spent excessively in his election campaign, often at the expense of taxpayers outside of his district. After receiving US$18,000 from Lee, Kim wrote a letter reversing his disclosure and fled to Tajikistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohmynews.com/nws_web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0000392943|title='이명박 리포트' 김유찬은 누구|date=16 February 2007|website=[[OhmyNews]]|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> Lee resigned in 1998 before being fined US$6.5 million for breaking election law and forcing Kim to flee.<ref>{{cite news |title=이명박-김유찬, 10년 전에 무슨 일 있었나?|url=http://news.sbs.co.kr/section_news/news_read.jsp?news_id=N1000222035}}</ref><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=21 August 2007 |access-date=11 January 2008 }}</ref> In the by-election held after his resignation, Roh Moo-hyun was elected as his successor. |
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===Mayor of Seoul=== |
===Mayor of Seoul=== |
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{{advert section|date=April 2020}} |
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[[File:Seoul Cheonggyecheon night.jpg|thumb|[[Cheonggyecheon]] at night]] |
[[File:Seoul Cheonggyecheon night.jpg|thumb|[[Cheonggyecheon]] at night]] |
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In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of [[Seoul]] and won. As the [[Mayor of Seoul]], Lee's |
In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of [[Seoul]] and won. As the [[Mayor of Seoul]], some of Lee's projects included the restoration of the [[Cheonggyecheon]] stream, the creation of [[Seoul Forest]], the opening of Seoul Forest Park, the construction of a grassy field in front of [[Seoul City Hall]], and the addition of [[rapid transit]] buses to the city's transportation system.<ref name="Koehler"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2003081901012730026002 |title=문화일보와 독자가 만들어가는 |publisher=[[Munhwa Ilbo]] |date=19 August 2003 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071021014313/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><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060515/story.html |magazine=Time |title=Saving Seoul |date=15 May 2006 |access-date=7 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121080802/http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060515/story.html |archive-date=21 November 2010 }}</ref> His administration transformed the area around Seoul City Hall from a concrete traffic circle to a public lawn for gatherings.<ref name="Koehler"/> |
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The [[MBC TV (South Korean TV channel)#2005 — Live Music Camp incident|Live Music Camp incident]] occurred in 2005, during his reign. Lee suggested that Hongdae concerts be regulated by authorities,<ref>{{cite news|last=Kwon|first=Ji-young|title=Hongdae musicians apologize for flashing|url=http://128.97.165.17/asia/news/article.asp?parentid=27621|accessdate=3 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=August 3, 2005|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103145017/http://128.97.165.17/asia/news/article.asp?parentid=27621|archivedate=3 January 2014}}</ref> which prompted political rivals to compare Lee to former dictator [[Park Chung Hee]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Unknown|first=Unknown|title=Seoul Mayor Blasted for Authoritarian Mindset|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2005/08/02/2005080261010.html|accessdate=3 January 2014|newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|date=2 August 2005}}</ref> Minister of Culture [[Yu In-chon]] convinced him not to do so.<ref name="MyDaily">{{Cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0000022969|title=유인촌 "이명박 시장은 인디밴드 싫어하지 않는다"|trans-title=Yu In-chon "Mayor Lee Myung-bak doesn't hate indie bands"|publisher=My Daily|via=[[Naver]]|date=15 September 2005|access-date=6 July 2023|language=ko}}</ref> |
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==2007 presidential election== |
==2007 presidential election== |
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|archive-date = 25 August 2007 |
|archive-date = 25 August 2007 |
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}}</ref> However, in August 2007, the prosecutors said in the interim announcement, "We do suspect Lee's brother's claim over the land in Dogok-dong, but have failed to verify the real owner of the asset."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200708131832241&code=940301 |title=경향닷컴 | Kyunghyang.com |publisher= |
}}</ref> However, in August 2007, the prosecutors said in the interim announcement, "We do suspect Lee's brother's claim over the land in Dogok-dong, but have failed to verify the real owner of the asset."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200708131832241&code=940301 |title=경향닷컴 | Kyunghyang.com |publisher=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> On 28 September 2007, the prosecutory authority officially dropped the suspicion that the Dogok land was under a borrowed name, announcing, "We have done all necessary investigations, including tracing the proceeds from the sale of the land and call history, and now got to the bottom of this case."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/246551.html |script-title=ko:‘도곡동 땅’ 수사 슬그머니 종결 |language=ko |publisher=[[The Hankyoreh]] |access-date=15 June 2010|date=29 October 2007 }}</ref> In December 2007, a few days before the presidential election, Lee announced that he would donate all of his assets to society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/255660.html |title=Lee Myung-bak announces he will donate 'all of his assets' to society |publisher=[[The Hankyoreh]] |date=8 December 2007 |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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Lee's stated goals were expressed in the "[[747 Plan]]" and included: 7% annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP), US$40,000 per capita, and transforming Korea into the world's seventh [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|largest economy]]. An important part of his [[Party platform|platform]] was the [[Grand Korean Waterway]] (한반도 대운하) project from [[Busan]] to Seoul, which he believed would lead to an economic revival. His political opponents criticized the project, saying it was unrealistic and too costly to be realized. Others were concerned about possible negative [[Environmental issue|environmental impact]]. |
Lee's stated goals were expressed in the "[[747 Plan]]" and included: 7% annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP), US$40,000 per capita, and transforming Korea into the world's seventh [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|largest economy]]. An important part of his [[Party platform|platform]] was the [[Grand Korean Waterway]] (한반도 대운하) project from [[Busan]] to Seoul, which he believed would lead to an economic revival. His political opponents criticized the project, saying it was unrealistic and too costly to be realized. Others were concerned about possible negative [[Environmental issue|environmental impact]]. |
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==Presidency (2008–13)== |
==Presidency (2008–13)== |
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{{See also|Lee Myung-bak government}} |
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In spite of the lowest [[voter turnout]] ever for a presidential [[Elections in South Korea|election]] in South Korea, Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote which was considered a [[Landslide victory#South Korea|landslide]].<ref name=AR>[http://www.angus-reid.com/tracker/view/14651 Angus Reid page on South Korea] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506205548/http://www.angus-reid.com/tracker/view/14651 |date=6 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name="BBC 07/12/19">{{cite news |
In spite of the lowest [[voter turnout]] ever for a presidential [[Elections in South Korea|election]] in South Korea, Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote which was considered a [[Landslide victory#South Korea|landslide]].<ref name=AR>[http://www.angus-reid.com/tracker/view/14651 Angus Reid page on South Korea] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506205548/http://www.angus-reid.com/tracker/view/14651 |date=6 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name="BBC 07/12/19">{{cite news |
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|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7150806.stm |
|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7150806.stm |
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}}</ref> Specifically, Lee declared that he would pursue a campaign of "global diplomacy" and seek further cooperative exchanges with regional neighbors Japan, China, and Russia. He further pledged to strengthen [[South Korea–United States relations]] and implement a tougher policy with regard to [[North Korea]], ideas that are promoted as the [[MB Doctrine]]. |
}}</ref> Specifically, Lee declared that he would pursue a campaign of "global diplomacy" and seek further cooperative exchanges with regional neighbors Japan, China, and Russia. He further pledged to strengthen [[South Korea–United States relations]] and implement a tougher policy with regard to [[North Korea]], ideas that are promoted as the [[MB Doctrine]]. |
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Lee stated that he wanted to restore better relations with the United States through a greater emphasis on [[free market]] solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=15851&categoryCode=180|title=The Korea Times, President-Elect Vows Creative Diplomacy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/news/issues/issueDetailView.asp?board_no=18994 |title=President Lee Myung-bak's Inaugural Address |publisher=Korea.net |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
Lee stated that he wanted to restore better relations with the United States through a greater emphasis on [[free market]] solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=15851&categoryCode=180|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227193732/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=15851&categoryCode=180|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2007|title=The Korea Times, President-Elect Vows Creative Diplomacy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/news/issues/issueDetailView.asp?board_no=18994 |title=President Lee Myung-bak's Inaugural Address |publisher=[[Korea.net]] |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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Two months after his [[inauguration]], Lee's approval ratings stood at 28%,<ref name=Hankyoreh>{{cite news | url= http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/286442.html | title= Lee's decline in popularity | publisher= [[Hankyoreh]] | date= 9 May 2008 }}</ref> and by June 2008 they had reached 17%.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=2&key=2008060407 | title = Lee's Approval Rating Plunges to 17% | publisher = [[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]] | date = 4 June 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080604082214/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=2&key=2008060407 | archive-date = 4 June 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[George W. Bush|U.S. President George W. Bush]] and Lee also discussed the [[ratification]] of the [[South Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement]] or KORUS FTA, which faced opposition from legislators in both countries. While Lee's agreement during the summit to partially lift the [[Ban (law)|ban]] on US beef [[International trade|imports]] was expected to remove the obstacles in approving the KORUS FTA in the US,<ref>{{cite news |
Two months after his [[inauguration]], Lee's approval ratings stood at 28%,<ref name=Hankyoreh>{{cite news | url= http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/286442.html | title= Lee's decline in popularity | publisher= [[Hankyoreh]] | date= 9 May 2008 }}</ref> and by June 2008 they had reached 17%.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=2&key=2008060407 | title = Lee's Approval Rating Plunges to 17% | publisher = [[Korean Broadcasting System|KBS]] | date = 4 June 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080604082214/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=2&key=2008060407 | archive-date = 4 June 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[George W. Bush|U.S. President George W. Bush]] and Lee also discussed the [[ratification]] of the [[South Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement]] or KORUS FTA, which faced opposition from legislators in both countries. While Lee's agreement during the summit to partially lift the [[Ban (law)|ban]] on US beef [[International trade|imports]] was expected to remove the obstacles in approving the KORUS FTA in the US,<ref>{{cite news |
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|title= South Koreans protest U.S. beef as unsafe | publisher=MarketWatch | date= 10 May 2008}}</ref> |
|title= South Koreans protest U.S. beef as unsafe | publisher=MarketWatch | date= 10 May 2008}}</ref> |
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As protests escalated, the Korean government issued a statement warning that violent protesters would be punished, and measures would be taken to stop clashes between police and protesters. The protests continued for more than two months, and the original purpose of the [[candlelight vigil]]s against U.S. beef imports was replaced by others, such as opposition to the [[privatization]] of public companies, education policy, and construction of the canal. The damages caused by protesters to the businesses around the demonstration and the social cost reached approximately 3,751,300,000,000 South Korean won.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dailian.co.kr/news/n_view.html?id=127555&kind=menu_code&keys=3 | title=데일리안 미디어 }}</ref> |
As protests escalated, the Korean government issued a statement warning that violent protesters would be punished, and measures would be taken to stop clashes between police and protesters. The protests continued for more than two months, and the original purpose of the [[candlelight vigil]]s against U.S. beef imports was replaced by others, such as opposition to the [[privatization]] of public companies, education policy, and construction of the canal. The damages caused by protesters to the businesses around the demonstration and the social cost reached approximately 3,751,300,000,000 South Korean won.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dailian.co.kr/news/n_view.html?id=127555&kind=menu_code&keys=3 | title=데일리안 미디어 | date=26 September 2008 }}</ref> |
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According to [[The Wall Street Journal]], Lee's plan to privatize public companies was a modest but "perhaps important step" toward reform.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee's Economic Mojo|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121865093063537565|work=The Wall Street Journal |date=14 August 2008}}</ref> |
According to [[The Wall Street Journal]], Lee's plan to privatize public companies was a modest but "perhaps important step" toward reform.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee's Economic Mojo|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121865093063537565|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=14 August 2008}}</ref> |
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As the government gained more stability, the approval rating of Lee's administration rose to 32.8%. Since the resumption of U.S. beef imports, more people are buying U.S. beef and now it has the second largest market share in Korea, after Australian beef.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.co.kr/Nocut/Show.asp?IDX=949014 |title=노컷뉴스 |publisher=Cbs.co.kr |date=2 October 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="news.chosun.com">{{cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/09/22/2008092201638.html |title=[심층분석] 이달 초 점유율, 호주산 제쳐... 대형 마트도 판매 '저울질' – 1등 인터넷뉴스 조선닷컴 |publisher= |
As the government gained more stability, the approval rating of Lee's administration rose to 32.8%. Since the resumption of U.S. beef imports, more people are buying U.S. beef and now it has the second largest market share in Korea, after Australian beef.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.co.kr/Nocut/Show.asp?IDX=949014 |title=노컷뉴스 |publisher=Cbs.co.kr |date=2 October 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="news.chosun.com">{{cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/09/22/2008092201638.html |title=[심층분석] 이달 초 점유율, 호주산 제쳐... 대형 마트도 판매 '저울질' – 1등 인터넷뉴스 조선닷컴 |publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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Lee's approval ratings reflected public perception of Korea's economic situation in the wake of the global economic meltdown. Signs of a strengthening economy and a landmark $40 billion deal won by a Korean [[consortium]] to build [[nuclear power plant]]s in the |
Lee's approval ratings reflected public perception of Korea's economic situation in the wake of the global economic meltdown. Signs of a strengthening economy and a landmark $40 billion deal won by a Korean [[consortium]] to build [[nuclear power plant]]s in the |
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[[United Arab Emirates]] boosted Lee's popularity. His approval rating in January 2010 stood at 51.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/03/113_58325.html |title=Lee's Approval Rating Tops 50% |date=January 2010 |publisher= |
[[United Arab Emirates]] boosted Lee's popularity. His approval rating in January 2010 stood at 51.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/03/113_58325.html |title=Lee's Approval Rating Tops 50% |date=January 2010 |publisher=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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As of late 2011, Lee's administration had a series of corruption allegations surrounding certain high-ranking government employees.<ref>{{cite news | first = Yeong-hwan (영환) | last = Park (박) | title = MB '3재'... 측근비리·정권심판론·경제위기 | date = 25 September 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109252202435&code=910203 | work |
As of late 2011, Lee's administration had a series of corruption allegations surrounding certain high-ranking government employees.<ref>{{cite news | first = Yeong-hwan (영환) | last = Park (박) | title = MB '3재'... 측근비리·정권심판론·경제위기 | date = 25 September 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109252202435&code=910203 | work=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] | access-date = 17 October 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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===Education policy=== |
===Education policy=== |
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boarding school" and granted funds amounting to 317 billion won in total, with 3.8 billion won each on average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heraldbiz.com/SITE/data/html_dir/2008/08/26/200808260251.asp |script-title=ko:헤럴드경제-뉴스 |language=ko |publisher=Heraldbiz.com |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
boarding school" and granted funds amounting to 317 billion won in total, with 3.8 billion won each on average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heraldbiz.com/SITE/data/html_dir/2008/08/26/200808260251.asp |script-title=ko:헤럴드경제-뉴스 |language=ko |publisher=Heraldbiz.com |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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The Lee government planned to use a pool of young [[Korean American]]s for the promotion of after-school [[English studies|English education]] in public schools in rural areas, with the aim to improve the quality of education.<ref>{{cite web|author=윤희일·최승현· |
The Lee government planned to use a pool of young [[Korean American]]s for the promotion of after-school [[English studies|English education]] in public schools in rural areas, with the aim to improve the quality of education.<ref>{{cite web|author=윤희일·최승현·백승목|url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=200809051756165&code=940401 |title=경향닷컴 | Kyunghyang.com |publisher=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> Prior to assuming the presidency, Lee's transition team announced it would implement a nationwide English-[[Language immersion|immersion]] program to provide students with the language tools necessary to be successful in a highly [[Globalization|globalized]] world. Under this program, all classes would have been taught in English by 2010. However, Lee abandoned the program after facing strong opposition from parents, teachers, and education specialists.<ref name="english.hani.co.kr">{{cite news |title= Lee Myung-bak urges participation in English-language education initiatives|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/267073.html|publisher=[[Hankyoreh]] |date=1 February 2008 |access-date=30 April 2008 }}</ref> He then attempted to implement a program where all English courses in [[middle school|middle]] and secondary schools would be taught in English only, which would require the government to educate many teachers in Korea and recruit university students studying abroad in English-speaking countries. {{citation needed|date=September 2014}} |
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===Economic policy=== |
===Economic policy=== |
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[[finance minister]]s of South Korea, Japan, and China aimed at coordinating policies to cope with the [[Credit crunch|credit crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imnews.imbc.com//replay/nwdesk/article/2221492_2687.html |title= MBC News|website=imnews.imbc.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314004655/http://imnews.imbc.com//replay/nwdesk/article/2221492_2687.html |archive-date=14 March 2009}}</ref> |
[[finance minister]]s of South Korea, Japan, and China aimed at coordinating policies to cope with the [[Credit crunch|credit crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imnews.imbc.com//replay/nwdesk/article/2221492_2687.html |title= MBC News|website=imnews.imbc.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314004655/http://imnews.imbc.com//replay/nwdesk/article/2221492_2687.html |archive-date=14 March 2009}}</ref> |
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Around early 2011, Mbnomics gained a negative reputation due to tax reduction plans for the rich, the failure to privatize or merge |
Around early 2011, Mbnomics gained a negative reputation due to tax reduction plans for the rich, the failure to privatize or merge large banks, and failure to provide [[affordable housing]].<ref>{{cite news | first = Jun-gyu (준규) | last = Park (박) | title = 해체되는 MB노믹스 (Disintergrated MBnomics) | date = 20 June 2011 | url = http://www.naeil.com/News/politics/ViewNews.asp?sid=E&tid=9&nnum=610159 | work=[[Naeil Shinmun]] | access-date = 13 July 2011 | language = ko | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120904193536/http://www.naeil.com/News/politics/ViewNews.asp?sid=E&tid=9&nnum=610159 | archive-date = 4 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The [[middle age|middle-aged]] and [[Senior citizen|senior]] Korean population usually supported Lee Myung-bak. However, businesspeople in their 50s–60s in the construction and real estate sectors withdrew their support of Lee after the 2010 regional election and 2012 presidential election.<ref>{{cite news | title = MB 지지했던 '건설·부동산-5060세대'도 '변심' | date = 10 August 2011 | url = http://www.naeil.com/News/politics/ViewNews.asp?sid=E&tid=1&nnum=618459 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120904203032/http://www.naeil.com/News/politics/ViewNews.asp?sid=E&tid=1&nnum=618459 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 September 2012 | work=[[Naeil Shinmun]] | access-date = 10 September 2011 | language = ko }}</ref> |
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Oh Geon-ho (오건호), the head of the Public Policy Institute for People, criticized parts of Mbnomics as "over-financing big private companies" and "worsening the [[public finance|fiscal]] state of the country".<ref>{{cite news | first = Ho-jun (호준) | last = Lee (이) | title = '부자 감세 인한 재정 악화' 현실로 ... 결국 'MB노믹스' 좌초 | date = 7 September 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109072201075&code=910100 | work |
Oh Geon-ho (오건호), the head of the Public Policy Institute for People, criticized parts of Mbnomics as "over-financing big private companies" and "worsening the [[public finance|fiscal]] state of the country".<ref>{{cite news | first = Ho-jun (호준) | last = Lee (이) | title = '부자 감세 인한 재정 악화' 현실로 ... 결국 'MB노믹스' 좌초 | date = 7 September 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109072201075&code=910100 | work=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] | access-date = 24 September 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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On 7 September 2011, the [[Blue House]] officially scrapped plans for a rich [[tax deduction]], marking the foundational end of Mbnomics.<ref>{{cite news | first = Chang-hyeon (창현) | last = Ahn (안) | script-title=ko:청와대 ‘정책 레임덕’ 여당 거센 요구 수용 | date = 7 September 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/bluehouse/495380.html | work = The Hankyeoreh | access-date = 24 September 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
On 7 September 2011, the [[Blue House]] officially scrapped plans for a rich [[tax deduction]], marking the foundational end of Mbnomics.<ref>{{cite news | first = Chang-hyeon (창현) | last = Ahn (안) | script-title=ko:청와대 ‘정책 레임덕’ 여당 거센 요구 수용 | date = 7 September 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/bluehouse/495380.html | work = The Hankyeoreh | access-date = 24 September 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/world/asia/12canal.html?_r=1&ref=asia&oref=slogin |
|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/world/asia/12canal.html?_r=1&ref=asia&oref=slogin |
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|title= Controversial Canal Tests South Korea's New Leader |
|title= Controversial Canal Tests South Korea's New Leader |
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|work= New York Times |
|work= [[The New York Times]] |
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|date= 12 March 2008 |
|date= 12 March 2008 |
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}}</ref> which would cause irreparable damage to a significant portion of Korea's cultural legacy.<ref>{{cite news |
}}</ref> which would cause irreparable damage to a significant portion of Korea's cultural legacy.<ref>{{cite news |
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===Cabinet=== |
===Cabinet=== |
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[[Lee Myung-bak government]] |
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[[File:Sebastián_Piñera_-_Lee_Myung-bak_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Lee at APEC on 13 November 2010|200px]] |
[[File:Sebastián_Piñera_-_Lee_Myung-bak_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Lee at APEC on 13 November 2010|200px]] |
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Lee Myung-bak faced strong criticism over his choice of political appointees, many of whom were wealthy. The concern was that Lee's appointees would favor policies that protect the rich, while failing to address the needs of the underprivileged. Another criticism was that these appointees have mostly chosen from the nation's southeast region ([[ |
Lee Myung-bak faced strong criticism over his choice of political appointees, many of whom were wealthy. The concern was that Lee's appointees would favor policies that protect the rich, while failing to address the needs of the underprivileged. Another criticism was that these appointees have mostly chosen from the nation's southeast region ([[North Gyeongsang Province]] and [[South Gyeongsang Province]]), which is known as a GNP stronghold.<ref name="english.yonhapnews.co.kr">{{cite news |title= Lee's party staggers over 'rich Cabinet' controversy |
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|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/29/94/0301000000AEN20080229003800315F.HTML|publisher=[[Yonhap]] |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> |
|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/29/94/0301000000AEN20080229003800315F.HTML|publisher=[[Yonhap]] |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref> |
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While the fact that the property owned by high officials, including ministers, increased on average, most of them were legally-obtained and inherited property. Those ministers involved in the allegation of illegal real-estate speculation were already replaced. Hence, the average property owned by the three replaced ministers were only 1.7 billion won.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.daum.net/politics/others/view.html?cateid=1020&newsid=20080707170115342&p=yonhap |title=Daum 미디어다음 – 뉴스 |newspaper= |
While the fact that the property owned by high officials, including ministers, increased on average, most of them were legally-obtained and inherited property. Those ministers involved in the allegation of illegal real-estate speculation were already replaced. Hence, the average property owned by the three replaced ministers were only 1.7 billion won.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.daum.net/politics/others/view.html?cateid=1020&newsid=20080707170115342&p=yonhap |title=Daum 미디어다음 – 뉴스 |newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |language=ko |publisher=Media.daum.net |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> To set aside the alleged regional bias, Lee's first cabinet appointment procedure faithfully abided by the principles and rules by appointing four from Seoul and [[Yeongnam]] district, three from [[Honam]], [[Gangwon Province (South Korea)|Gangwon]], and [[Chungcheong]] province, and one from North Korea.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.daum.net/society/others/view.html?cateid=1067&newsid=20080219202408565&p=yonhap |title=Daum 미디어다음 – 뉴스 |newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |language=ko |publisher=Media.daum.net |date=19 February 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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Moreover, Lee's administration increased the welfare budget by 9% to help the poorest maintain the living and middle class's stability, and pursued many more policies for the benefit of the public than the former government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002289748 |script-title=ko:복지 축소우려 '기우?'..9% 늘려 |
Moreover, Lee's administration increased the welfare budget by 9% to help the poorest maintain the living and middle class's stability, and pursued many more policies for the benefit of the public than the former government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002289748 |script-title=ko:복지 축소우려 '기우?'..9% 늘려 |language=ko |publisher=[[Naver News]] |date=30 September 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> His administration further claimed that the [[tax reform]]s undertaken, including the comprehensive [[property tax]] cut was not to benefit the wealthy and the haves, but to correct a wrongful tax according to the market principle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/09/23/2008092301550.html |title=[사설] 종합부동산세는 재산세에 통합시켜야 – 1등 인터넷뉴스 조선닷컴|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> Lee also had to face corruption charges leveled at his administration. Three appointees resigned amid suspicions of corruption, and his top [[military intelligence|intelligence]] chief and anticorruption aide faced accusations that they received [[bribery|bribes]] from The [[Samsung Group]]. Both Samsung and Lee denied the charges.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news |title= Corruption Allegations Batter South Korea's New President|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/world/asia/06korea.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=6 March 2008 |access-date=21 April 2008 | first=Choe | last=Sang-Hun}}</ref> Those involved in the allegation of receiving bribes from Samsung group have been cleared of charges after special prosecutory investigation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200804180152 |title=뉴스]-"김용철 변호사 진술 오락가락"... 떡값 실체는 없었다 |publisher=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |date=18 April 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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On 7 July 2008, Lee named Ahn Byong-man, a presidential advisor for state future planning, as his new minister of education, science and technology. Jang Tae-pyoung, a former secretary general of the [[Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption]], became minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Grand National Party lawmaker Jeon Jae-hee minister of health, welfare and family affairs. In addition, Lee gave Prime Minister [[Han Seung-soo]] another chance in the belief that no proper working conditions had been provided for the cabinet due to many pending issues since the inauguration of the new administration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Three Cabinet Ministers to Be Replaced|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200807/200807080014.html|publisher=Digital [[Chosun Ilbo]] (English Edition)|date=8 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709013555/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200807/200807080014.html|archive-date=9 July 2008}}</ref> |
On 7 July 2008, Lee named Ahn Byong-man, a presidential advisor for state future planning, as his new minister of education, science and technology. Jang Tae-pyoung, a former secretary general of the [[Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption]], became minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Grand National Party lawmaker Jeon Jae-hee minister of health, welfare and family affairs. In addition, Lee gave Prime Minister [[Han Seung-soo]] another chance in the belief that no proper working conditions had been provided for the cabinet due to many pending issues since the inauguration of the new administration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Three Cabinet Ministers to Be Replaced|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200807/200807080014.html|publisher=Digital [[Chosun Ilbo]] (English Edition)|date=8 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709013555/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200807/200807080014.html|archive-date=9 July 2008}}</ref> |
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|date= 19 December 2007 |
|date= 19 December 2007 |
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}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
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In mid-April 2008, Lee traveled to the United States for his first official overseas visit to meet with U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] at the [[White House]] and [[Camp David]]. Lee's more aggressive approach towards North Korea was described as a welcome change for Bush |
In mid-April 2008, Lee traveled to the United States for his first official overseas visit to meet with U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] at the [[White House]] and [[Camp David]]. Lee's more aggressive approach towards North Korea was described as a welcome change for Bush.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00400&num=2561 |title=Analysis of Lee Myung Bak's Policy toward North Korea |date=22 August 2007 |publisher=[[Daily NK]].com |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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The government's stance towards North Korea was not to violate the agreement made between the heads of the two Koreas, but to mull over the economic feasibility and realizable possibility through negotiation based on mutual trust and respect, and prioritizing going forward with the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=20081001010710231160020 |title=문화일보와 독자가 만들어가는 |publisher=Munhwa |
The government's stance towards North Korea was not to violate the agreement made between the heads of the two Koreas, but to mull over the economic feasibility and realizable possibility through negotiation based on mutual trust and respect, and prioritizing going forward with the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=20081001010710231160020 |title=문화일보와 독자가 만들어가는 |publisher=[[Munhwa Ilbo]] |date=1 October 2008 |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> |
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During a press conference, the two leaders expressed hope that North Korea would disclose the details of their [[nuclear weapon]]s program, and pledged their commitment to resolve the issue through the multilateral [[six-party talks]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Bush, Lee Hopeful of North Korea Nuclear Declaration |
During a press conference, the two leaders expressed hope that North Korea would disclose the details of their [[nuclear weapon]]s program, and pledged their commitment to resolve the issue through the multilateral [[six-party talks]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Bush, Lee Hopeful of North Korea Nuclear Declaration |
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[[File:Barack Obama and Lee Myung-bak.jpg|thumb|right|U.S. President Barack Obama meeting with President Lee Myung-bak at the G20 summit on 2 April 2009 in London|250px]] |
[[File:Barack Obama and Lee Myung-bak.jpg|thumb|right|U.S. President Barack Obama meeting with President Lee Myung-bak at the G20 summit on 2 April 2009 in London|250px]] |
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[[File:President Lee Myung-bak’s 2009 U.S. trip (4345570516).jpg|thumb|right|President Lee Myung-bak visiting the United States to hold summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on 2009|250px]] |
[[File:President Lee Myung-bak’s 2009 U.S. trip (4345570516).jpg|thumb|right|President Lee Myung-bak visiting the United States to hold summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on 2009|250px]] |
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Multiple [[News media|news outlets]] have remarked upon the apparently close friendship between Lee and U.S. President [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite news|last=LANDLER|first=MARK|title=S. Korean State Visit Highlights Bond Between 2 Leaders|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/south-korean-state-visit-highlights-bond-between-obama-and-lee-myung-bak.html|access-date=12 July 2012|newspaper=New York Times|date=12 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Sunny | last = Lee | title = Lee Myung-bak: Obama's man-crush? | date = 29 October 2011 | url = http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MJ29Dg01.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111028094447/http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MJ29Dg01.html | url-status = unfit | archive-date = 28 October 2011 | work = Asia Times | access-date = 17 November 2011}}</ref> Despite Lee's wavering support at home, Lee's leadership was lauded by Obama at the [[2009 G-20 London summit]], where Obama called South Korea "[one of America's] closest allies and greatest friends." Obama and Lee agreed on a need "for a stern, united response from the international community" in light of North Korea's efforts toward a threatened [[satellite]] launch. Lee accepted an invitation by Obama to visit the United States on 16 June 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/obama-lee-myungbak-discus_n_182171.html |title=Obama Calls G-20 Summit A 'Turning Point' (SLIDESHOW) |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= 2 April 2009|access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> President Obama hosted Lee for a day-long [[state visit]] and [[state dinner]] on 13 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/13/statement-press-secretary-visit-president-lee-republic-korea-white-house |title=Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Lee of the Republic of Korea to the White House | The White House |date=13 September 2011 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
Multiple [[News media|news outlets]] have remarked upon the apparently close friendship between Lee and U.S. President [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite news|last=LANDLER|first=MARK|title=S. Korean State Visit Highlights Bond Between 2 Leaders|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/south-korean-state-visit-highlights-bond-between-obama-and-lee-myung-bak.html|access-date=12 July 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=12 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Sunny | last = Lee | title = Lee Myung-bak: Obama's man-crush? | date = 29 October 2011 | url = http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MJ29Dg01.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111028094447/http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/MJ29Dg01.html | url-status = unfit | archive-date = 28 October 2011 | work = Asia Times | access-date = 17 November 2011}}</ref> Despite Lee's wavering support at home, Lee's leadership was lauded by Obama at the [[2009 G-20 London summit]], where Obama called South Korea "[one of America's] closest allies and greatest friends." Obama and Lee agreed on a need "for a stern, united response from the international community" in light of North Korea's efforts toward a threatened [[satellite]] launch. Lee accepted an invitation by Obama to visit the United States on 16 June 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/02/obama-lee-myungbak-discus_n_182171.html |title=Obama Calls G-20 Summit A 'Turning Point' (SLIDESHOW) |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= 2 April 2009|access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref> President Obama hosted Lee for a day-long [[state visit]] and [[state dinner]] on 13 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/13/statement-press-secretary-visit-president-lee-republic-korea-white-house |title=Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Lee of the Republic of Korea to the White House | The White House |date=13 September 2011 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |
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Lee also played a role in bringing about the normalization of South Korea's relations with Russia. Furthermore, Lee built relationships with foreign leaders, including former Singaporean prime minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]], Cambodian prime minister [[Hun Sen]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/07/content_8120439.htm |title=Cambodia could mediate-Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116113846/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/07/content_8120439.htm |archive-date=16 November 2013 }}</ref> former Malaysian prime minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]], former [[Communist Party of China|Chinese Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of China|general secretary]] [[Jiang Zemin]] and former [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|general secretary]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]. {{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
Lee also played a role in bringing about the normalization of South Korea's relations with Russia. Furthermore, Lee built relationships with foreign leaders, including former Singaporean prime minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]], Cambodian prime minister [[Hun Sen]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/07/content_8120439.htm |title=Cambodia could mediate-Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=7 May 2008 |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116113846/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/07/content_8120439.htm |archive-date=16 November 2013 }}</ref> former Malaysian prime minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]], former [[Communist Party of China|Chinese Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of China|general secretary]] [[Jiang Zemin]] and former [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|general secretary]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]. {{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
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}}</ref> Fears that [[US beef imports in South Korea]], in relation to the [[U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement]], would cause [[Mad Cow disease]] infected beef to be imported to South Korea came to a boil in the summer of 2008. |
}}</ref> Fears that [[US beef imports in South Korea]], in relation to the [[U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement]], would cause [[Mad Cow disease]] infected beef to be imported to South Korea came to a boil in the summer of 2008. |
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Ten days after the deal was formally signed, [[Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation|MBC]]’s current affairs program |
Ten days after the deal was formally signed, [[Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation|MBC]]’s current affairs program ''[[PD Note]]'' aired a multi-part episode titled "U.S. beef, is it safe from [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|mad cow disease]]?" It was reported by MBC that Koreans carry a gene making them more susceptible to mad cow disease than Americans. This claim has since been retracted by MBC.<ref name="Joongang">{{cite news |
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|url= http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2899259 |
|url= http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2899259 |
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|title= A year for economic heartache |
|title= A year for economic heartache |
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In an interview, Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said that the policy would be pursued "with the maximum prudence, as it will take time for the U.S. to grasp the situation in Korea and gather opinions inside the industry." The government's policy is to ban import of beef from older cattle "under any circumstances, either through renegotiations between governments or self-regulation by importers."<ref>{{cite news|title=Beef Importers Promise to Say No to Older Cattle|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806050009.html|publisher=Digital [[Chosun Ilbo]] (English Edition)|date=5 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803061448/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806050009.html|archive-date=3 August 2008}}</ref> |
In an interview, Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said that the policy would be pursued "with the maximum prudence, as it will take time for the U.S. to grasp the situation in Korea and gather opinions inside the industry." The government's policy is to ban import of beef from older cattle "under any circumstances, either through renegotiations between governments or self-regulation by importers."<ref>{{cite news|title=Beef Importers Promise to Say No to Older Cattle|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806050009.html|publisher=Digital [[Chosun Ilbo]] (English Edition)|date=5 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803061448/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200806/200806050009.html|archive-date=3 August 2008}}</ref> |
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The Seoul Southern District Court ordered MBC to air a correction by the popular MBC current affairs program |
The Seoul Southern District Court ordered MBC to air a correction by the popular MBC current affairs program ''[[PD Note]]'', saying that the report was partially wrong and exaggerated the threat of mad cow disease. The public anger towards resuming the beef deal is now regaining its composure as many people began to buy U.S. beef. The market share of U.S. beef currently stands at approximately 28.8% following Australian beef (top seller), but for 10-days prior to Korea's thanksgiving day, it was ranked the first among its competitors.<ref name="news.chosun.com"/> |
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====Relations with North Korea==== |
====Relations with North Korea==== |
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On 4 July 2011, during a mass rally in [[Pyongyang]], Lee and his government were strongly criticized as traitors by spokesmen for the [[Korean People's Army]] and other elements of North Korean society. The Korean People's Army called for dealing "merciless deadly blows at the enemies till they are wiped out to the last man."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pyongyang City Army-People Rally Held|url=http://nknews.org/2011/07/pyongyang-city-army-people-rally-held/|access-date=4 July 2011|date=4 July 2011|agency=[[Korean Central News Agency]]|quote=The powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu has never made an empty talk. It is the spirit and courage of the KPA to deal merciless deadly blows at the enemies till they are wiped out to the last man.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406195817/http://nknews.org/2011/07/pyongyang-city-army-people-rally-held/|archive-date=6 April 2012}}</ref> |
On 4 July 2011, during a mass rally in [[Pyongyang]], Lee and his government were strongly criticized as traitors by spokesmen for the [[Korean People's Army]] and other elements of North Korean society. The Korean People's Army called for dealing "merciless deadly blows at the enemies till they are wiped out to the last man."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pyongyang City Army-People Rally Held|url=http://nknews.org/2011/07/pyongyang-city-army-people-rally-held/|access-date=4 July 2011|date=4 July 2011|agency=[[Korean Central News Agency]]|quote=The powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu has never made an empty talk. It is the spirit and courage of the KPA to deal merciless deadly blows at the enemies till they are wiped out to the last man.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406195817/http://nknews.org/2011/07/pyongyang-city-army-people-rally-held/|archive-date=6 April 2012}}</ref> |
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His direct and tough policy towards North Korea promoted a negative image of him throughout North Korea. Lee's name became a target practice in the North Korean military as shown through the [[Korean Central Television]] on 6 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jun-sam (준삼) | last = Lee (이) | script-title=ko:北군인 `李대통령 이름 표적지' 사격연습 | date = 6 March 2012 | url = http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2012/03/06/0505000000AKR20120306200700014.HTML | work |
His direct and tough policy towards North Korea promoted a negative image of him throughout North Korea. Lee's name became a target practice in the North Korean military as shown through the [[Korean Central Television]] on 6 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jun-sam (준삼) | last = Lee (이) | script-title=ko:北군인 `李대통령 이름 표적지' 사격연습 | date = 6 March 2012 | url = http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2012/03/06/0505000000AKR20120306200700014.HTML | work=[[Yonhap News Agency]] | access-date = 6 March 2012 | language = ko}}</ref> In March 2010, Lee's presidency ended the [[Sunshine Policy]], originally planned by [[Kim Dae-jung]] to improve relations with the North.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/news/South-Korea-Formally-Declares-End-to-Sunshine-Policy--108904544.html South Korea Formally Declares End to Sunshine Policy], [http://www.voanews.com Voice of America], 18 November 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/83844/20101119/korea-sunshine.htm South Korea dumps Sunshine Policy with North, opts to go solo], [http://www.ibtimes.com International Business Times], 19 November 2010</ref> |
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On 5 May 2012, the [[Pyongyang Times]] newspaper published stories and pictures of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) workers threatening to "wipe out" the Lee clan.<ref name="PYT Locals May 5">{{cite news|last=Pang|first=Un ju|title=Locals vow to take full revenge|newspaper=Pyongyang Times|date=5 May 2013|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT iron fist May 5">{{cite news|last=Hyon|first=Sang Ju|title=With iron first of justice|newspaper=Pyongyang Times|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT bases May 5">{{cite news|last=Hong|first=Pong Chol|title=We'll blow up all bases of provocation|newspaper=Pyongyang Times|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT toterate May 5">{{cite news|last=Sim|first=Yong Ok|title=We'll never tolerate them any longer|newspaper=Pyongyang Times|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University}}</ref><ref name="PTY anti-Lee May 5">{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Tong Sik|title=Pomminruon calls for intensifying anti-Lee move|newspaper=Pyongyang Times|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University}}</ref> The workers were upset at Lee for "having defiled the DPRK's supreme dignity when all the fellow countrymen were celebrating the [[Century|centenary]] of the birth of President [[Kim Il-sung]]."<ref name="PYT Locals May 5"/> |
On 5 May 2012, the [[Pyongyang Times]] newspaper published stories and pictures of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) workers threatening to "wipe out" the Lee clan.<ref name="PYT Locals May 5">{{cite news|last=Pang|first=Un ju|title=Locals vow to take full revenge|newspaper=[[The Pyongyang Times]]|date=5 May 2013|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT iron fist May 5">{{cite news|last=Hyon|first=Sang Ju|title=With iron first of justice|newspaper=[[The Pyongyang Times]]|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT bases May 5">{{cite news|last=Hong|first=Pong Chol|title=We'll blow up all bases of provocation|newspaper=[[The Pyongyang Times]]|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University|page=6}}</ref><ref name="PYT toterate May 5">{{cite news|last=Sim|first=Yong Ok|title=We'll never tolerate them any longer|newspaper=[[The Pyongyang Times]]|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University}}</ref><ref name="PTY anti-Lee May 5">{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Tong Sik|title=Pomminruon calls for intensifying anti-Lee move|newspaper=[[The Pyongyang Times]]|date=5 May 2012|location=George Washington University}}</ref> The workers were upset at Lee for "having defiled the DPRK's supreme dignity when all the fellow countrymen were celebrating the [[Century|centenary]] of the birth of President [[Kim Il-sung]]."<ref name="PYT Locals May 5"/> |
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====Relations with Japan==== |
====Relations with Japan==== |
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{{See also|Japan–South Korea relations}} |
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[[File:President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a summit meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 9, 2009 (4347069193).jpg|thumb|right|President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a summit meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on 9 October 2009.|250px]] |
[[File:President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a summit meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 9, 2009 (4347069193).jpg|thumb|right|President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a summit meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on 9 October 2009.|250px]] |
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Towards the end of his term in office, Lee began to take actions that caused friction between South Korea and neighboring Japan. On 10 August 2012, Lee flew to the [[Liancourt Rocks]], known as Dokdo or Tokto (독도, literally "solitary island") in [[Korean language|Korean]], or {{nihongo|Takeshima|たけしま/竹島||literally "bamboo island"}} in Japanese. He was the first Korean president to do so.<ref>The Japan Times [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20120816a1.html EDITORIAL: Strain on Tokyo-Seoul ties August 16 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref> Japan temporarily withdrew its ambassador to South Korea Masatoshi Muto, and [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] [[Kōichirō Gemba]] summoned the South Korean ambassador to file a complaint<ref>The Daily Yomiuri [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/T120812002977.htm Lee's visit to Takeshima threatens Japan-S. Korea ties August 13, 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref> and threatened to lodge a case with the [[International Court of Justice]], (ICJ) which was rejected by South Korea. It could do so because both countries party to a dispute must agree to such ICJ cases. It was the first time for Japan to make such a move in 47 years, since Japan and South Korea officially re-established relations in 1965.<ref>The Korean Times [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/08/116_117202.html Seoul to keep Dokdo out of court August 12, 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref><ref name="yomiuri.co.jp">The Daily Yomiuri [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120817004297.htm Japan seeks joint ICJ suit over Takeshima August 18, 2012] Retrieved on 18 August 2012</ref> Japan previously proposed bringing the issue to the ICJ in 1954 and 1964.<ref name="yomiuri.co.jp"/> |
Towards the end of his term in office, Lee began to take actions that caused friction between South Korea and neighboring Japan. On 10 August 2012, Lee flew to the [[Liancourt Rocks]], known as Dokdo or Tokto (독도, literally "solitary island") in [[Korean language|Korean]], or {{nihongo|Takeshima|たけしま/竹島||literally "bamboo island"}} in Japanese. He was the first Korean president to do so.<ref>The Japan Times [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20120816a1.html EDITORIAL: Strain on Tokyo-Seoul ties August 16 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref> Japan temporarily withdrew its ambassador to South Korea Masatoshi Muto, and [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] [[Kōichirō Gemba]] summoned the South Korean ambassador to file a complaint<ref>The Daily Yomiuri [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/T120812002977.htm Lee's visit to Takeshima threatens Japan-S. Korea ties August 13, 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref> and threatened to lodge a case with the [[International Court of Justice]], (ICJ) which was rejected by South Korea. It could do so because both countries party to a dispute must agree to such ICJ cases. It was the first time for Japan to make such a move in 47 years, since Japan and South Korea officially re-established relations in 1965.<ref>The Korean Times [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/08/116_117202.html Seoul to keep Dokdo out of court August 12, 2012] Retrieved on 16 August 2012</ref><ref name="yomiuri.co.jp">The Daily Yomiuri [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120817004297.htm Japan seeks joint ICJ suit over Takeshima August 18, 2012] Retrieved on 18 August 2012</ref> Japan previously proposed bringing the issue to the ICJ in 1954 and 1964.<ref name="yomiuri.co.jp"/> |
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}}</ref> President Lee succeeded in bringing the Cheonan incident to the forefront in the Chair's Statement for the [[Asia-Europe Meeting]] in 2010 at [[Brussels]], drawing member nation support for the South Korean government's stance on North Korea's nuclear issue and stability in Northeast Asia. In addition, President Lee urged Japanese Prime Minister [[Naoto Kan|Kan Naoto]] to put his words on 15 August, [[Gwangbokjeol|Korea's Liberation Day]] into action. Regular reunions of the families separated by the [[Korean War]] drew attention as an international issue after being included in the Chair's Statement.<ref name="Chosun">{{cite news|url= http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/06/201010000112.html|title= 천안함 문제 의장성명에 포함돼|publisher= [[chosun il-bo]]|date= 6 October 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130119234638/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/06/201010000112.html|archive-date= 19 January 2013|df= dmy-all}}</ref> |
}}</ref> President Lee succeeded in bringing the Cheonan incident to the forefront in the Chair's Statement for the [[Asia-Europe Meeting]] in 2010 at [[Brussels]], drawing member nation support for the South Korean government's stance on North Korea's nuclear issue and stability in Northeast Asia. In addition, President Lee urged Japanese Prime Minister [[Naoto Kan|Kan Naoto]] to put his words on 15 August, [[Gwangbokjeol|Korea's Liberation Day]] into action. Regular reunions of the families separated by the [[Korean War]] drew attention as an international issue after being included in the Chair's Statement.<ref name="Chosun">{{cite news|url= http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/06/201010000112.html|title= 천안함 문제 의장성명에 포함돼|publisher= [[chosun il-bo]]|date= 6 October 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130119234638/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/06/201010000112.html|archive-date= 19 January 2013|df= dmy-all}}</ref> |
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Under the Lee administration, South Korea successfully concluded a [[free trade agreement]] with the [[European Union]] on 1 July 2011.<ref name="ABC News">{{cite news|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=13972680|title= South Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement Takes Effect|work= [[ABC News]]| date=1 July 2011}}</ref> |
Under the Lee administration, South Korea successfully concluded a [[free trade agreement]] with the [[European Union]] on 1 July 2011.<ref name="ABC News">{{cite news|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=13972680|title= South Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement Takes Effect|work= [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]| date=1 July 2011}}</ref> |
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Lee was involved in a [[South Korean illegal surveillance incident|surveillance scandal]] that encouraged both Saenuri Party and the [[Democratic United Party]] to put pressure against him.<ref>{{cite news | first = Si-soo | last = Park | title = Is it President's Watergate? | date = 4 April 2012 | url = https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/04/116_108355.html | work |
Lee was involved in a [[South Korean illegal surveillance incident|surveillance scandal]] that encouraged both Saenuri Party and the [[Democratic United Party]] to put pressure against him.<ref>{{cite news | first = Si-soo | last = Park | title = Is it President's Watergate? | date = 4 April 2012 | url = https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/04/116_108355.html | work=[[The Korea Times]] | access-date = 4 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Steven | last = Steven | title = Surveillance scandal deals Lee election blow | url = http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/ND05Dg03.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120413233939/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/ND05Dg03.html | url-status = unfit | archive-date = 13 April 2012 | work = Asia Times | access-date = 4 April 2012}}</ref> |
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==Controversies and issues== |
==Controversies and issues== |
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===BBK incident=== |
===BBK incident=== |
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{{See also|BBK stock price manipulation incident}} |
{{See also|BBK stock price manipulation incident}} |
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Lee Myung-bak was alleged to have been involved in an illegal company named BBK, which brought controversy to South Korea during the election season. BBK co-founders were investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. They had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK. They attempted to implicate Lee in criminal involvement, which was not supported by evidence.<ref name="english.chosun.com">{{cite news |title=Claims and Counter-Claims Clash in BBK Scandal |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/11/22/2007112261006.html|publisher= |
Lee Myung-bak was alleged to have been involved in an illegal company named BBK, which brought controversy to South Korea during the election season. BBK co-founders were investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. They had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK. They attempted to implicate Lee in criminal involvement, which was not supported by evidence.<ref name="english.chosun.com">{{cite news |title=Claims and Counter-Claims Clash in BBK Scandal |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/11/22/2007112261006.html|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|date=22 November 2007 |access-date=5 January 2012 }}</ref> He never admitted any wrongdoings, but the Korean press, controlled by Lee, made false report that he did.<ref name="Jimin Hong">{{cite web|author=Jimin Hong|url=http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20080628008014 |title=김경준 "국민·MB에 죄송" |publisher=[[Seoul Shinmun]] |date=28 June 2008 |access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> Lee was declared innocent of all charges by the Supreme Court of Korea. However, that was because the Korean prosecutors manipulated the case. In 2018, Lee was arrested and his involvement in BBK and DAS was confirmed by the same prosecutor's office. According to [[United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked diplomatic cables]], Yoo Chong-ha (유종하), the former co-chairman of Lee's presidential election campaign, requested then American ambassador to South Korea, [[Alexander Vershbow]], to delay the extraction of the main individual of the BBK embezzlement scandal to Korea to prevent spreading controversies related to Lee's involvement in the BBK embezzlement scandal during the [[2007 South Korean presidential election|election season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/10/07SEOUL3225.html |title=07SEOUL3225, EXTRADITION CASE |date=31 October 2007 |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wikileaks-kr.org/dokuwiki/07seoul3225 |title=US embassy cable – 송환 사건 |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=www.wikileaks-kr.org|language=ko |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123110145/http://www.wikileaks-kr.org/dokuwiki/07seoul3225 |archive-date=23 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Min-yeong (민영) |last=Choi (최) |title="BBK 송환 미뤄달라" 이명박 후보 측 미국에 요청 |date=3 September 2011 |url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109030259225&code=910100 |work=[[The Hankyoreh]] |access-date=17 December 2011 |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Yong-pil (용필) |last=Mun (문) |title=위키리크스 MB실체 폭로..."사실상 매국" 경악 |date=5 September 2011 |url=http://www.newsface.kr/news/news_view.htm?news_idx=2985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425062807/http://www.newsface.kr/news/news_view.htm?news_idx=2985 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2012 |work=Newsface |access-date=17 December 2011 |language=ko}}</ref> |
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According to [[WikiLeaks]], Yoo Chong-ha (유종하), the former co-chairman of Lee's presidential election campaign, requested then American ambassador to South Korea, [[Alexander Vershbow]], to delay the extraction of the main individual of the BBK embezzlement scandal to Korea to prevent spreading controversies related to Lee's involvement in the BBK embezzlement scandal during the [[2007 South Korean presidential election|election season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/10/07SEOUL3225.html |title=07SEOUL3225, EXTRADITION CASE |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wikileaks-kr.org/dokuwiki/07seoul3225 |title=US embassy cable – 송환 사건 |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=www.wikileaks-kr.org|language=ko |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123110145/http://www.wikileaks-kr.org/dokuwiki/07seoul3225 |archive-date=23 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Min-yeong (민영) |last=Choi (최) |title="BBK 송환 미뤄달라" 이명박 후보 측 미국에 요청 |date=3 September 2011 |url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201109030259225&code=910100 |work=The Hankyoreh |access-date=17 December 2011 |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Yong-pil (용필) |last=Mun (문) |title=위키리크스 MB실체 폭로..."사실상 매국" 경악 |date=5 September 2011 |url=http://www.newsface.kr/news/news_view.htm?news_idx=2985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425062807/http://www.newsface.kr/news/news_view.htm?news_idx=2985 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2012 |work=Newsface |access-date=17 December 2011 |language=ko}}</ref> |
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===Naegok-dong post-presidency residence issues=== |
===Naegok-dong post-presidency residence issues=== |
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Lee's acquisition of a house in [[Seocho District|Seocho]]-gu's [[Naegok-dong]] under his son's name caused a problem. One of the candidate lands that he sought was a [[green belt]] area, which could cause contradiction about his "[[Environmentally friendly|eco-friendly]]" governance.<ref>{{cite news | first = Tae-hui (태희) | last = Lee (이) | title = MB 사저터 2곳, 강남 보금자리 옆 그린벨트만 '콕콕' | date = 20 October 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/501771.html | work = The Hankyeoreh | access-date = 21 October 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> This spurred many controversies. For instance, a female [[Lobbying|lobbyist]]-like civilian with the family name of [[Yoo (Korean name)|Yoo]] was involved in this Naegok-dong deal with Lee's family members. She moved to the U.S. to avoid possible arrest.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jong-jin (종진) | last = Park (박) | script-title = ko:내곡동땅 '숨겨진 주인' 따로 있나... 미모의 여주인 유모씨가 '비밀의 문' | date = 22 October 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201110/h2011102212242421000.htm | work = Hankook Ilbo | access-date = 29 October 2011 | language = ko | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111024140329/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201110/h2011102212242421000.htm | archive-date = 24 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
Lee's acquisition of a house in [[Seocho District|Seocho]]-gu's [[Naegok-dong]] under his son's name caused a problem. One of the candidate lands that he sought was a [[green belt]] area, which could cause contradiction about his "[[Environmentally friendly|eco-friendly]]" governance.<ref>{{cite news | first = Tae-hui (태희) | last = Lee (이) | title = MB 사저터 2곳, 강남 보금자리 옆 그린벨트만 '콕콕' | date = 20 October 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/501771.html | work = The Hankyeoreh | access-date = 21 October 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> This spurred many controversies. For instance, a female [[Lobbying|lobbyist]]-like civilian with the family name of [[Yoo (Korean name)|Yoo]] was involved in this Naegok-dong deal with Lee's family members. She moved to the U.S. to avoid possible arrest.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jong-jin (종진) | last = Park (박) | script-title = ko:내곡동땅 '숨겨진 주인' 따로 있나... 미모의 여주인 유모씨가 '비밀의 문' | date = 22 October 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201110/h2011102212242421000.htm | work = [[Hankook Ilbo]] | access-date = 29 October 2011 | language = ko | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111024140329/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201110/h2011102212242421000.htm | archive-date = 24 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
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Lee purchased the land under his son's name, which could potentially violate South Korean real estate laws.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jae-yong (재용) | last = Chang (장) |author2=Kim Hoe-gyeong (김회경) |script-title=ko:① 실명제법 위반 가능성 ② 자금은 어디서... 이대통령 내곡동 사저 새롭게 논란 | date = 21 November 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201111/h2011112102334621000.htm | work = Hankook Ilbo | access-date = 25 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> The prosecutors formally proposed to investigate President Lee's son, who was also involved in the contract.<ref>{{cite news | first = Seok-jo (석조) | last = Roh (노) | title = 檢, 내곡동 사저 관련 이시형씨 소환한다... 자금 출처 등 곧}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-president monopolize use of tennis court|url=http://news1.kr/articles/1098155|access-date=25 May 2013|newspaper=News1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:조사 방침 | date = 22 November 2011 | url = http://news.kukinews.com/article/view.asp?page=1&gCode=kmi&arcid=0005580649&cp=du | work = Kuki News | access-date = 23 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
Lee purchased the land under his son's name, which could potentially violate South Korean real estate laws.<ref>{{cite news | first = Jae-yong (재용) | last = Chang (장) |author2=Kim Hoe-gyeong (김회경) |script-title=ko:① 실명제법 위반 가능성 ② 자금은 어디서... 이대통령 내곡동 사저 새롭게 논란 | date = 21 November 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/politics/201111/h2011112102334621000.htm | work = [[Hankook Ilbo]] | access-date = 25 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> The prosecutors formally proposed to investigate President Lee's son, who was also involved in the contract.<ref>{{cite news | first = Seok-jo (석조) | last = Roh (노) | title = 檢, 내곡동 사저 관련 이시형씨 소환한다... 자금 출처 등 곧}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-president monopolize use of tennis court|url=http://news1.kr/articles/1098155|access-date=25 May 2013|newspaper=News1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:조사 방침 | date = 22 November 2011 | url = http://news.kukinews.com/article/view.asp?page=1&gCode=kmi&arcid=0005580649&cp=du | work = Kuki News | access-date = 23 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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Legal professor Lee Sang-don, voiced his opinion that President Lee's Naegok-dong property crisis could justify his [[impeachment]].<ref>{{cite news | first = O-seong (오성) | last = Kwon (권) | title = 보수성향 법대교수 "MB 내곡동 게이트는 탄핵감" | date = 21 November 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/506380.html | work = The Hankyoreh | access-date = 28 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
Legal professor Lee Sang-don, voiced his opinion that President Lee's Naegok-dong property crisis could justify his [[impeachment]].<ref>{{cite news | first = O-seong (오성) | last = Kwon (권) | title = 보수성향 법대교수 "MB 내곡동 게이트는 탄핵감" | date = 21 November 2011 | url = http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/506380.html | work = [[The Hankyoreh]] | access-date = 28 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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===Tax evasion=== |
===Tax evasion=== |
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The spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Lee Yong-seop (이용섭), said that the presidential family's current residence was [[Tax evasion|evading tax]] by declaring parts of the building for ''commercial'' purposes.<ref>{{cite news | first = Bong-seok (봉석) | last = Sohn (손) | script-title=ko:민주당 "이 대통령 논현동 사저, 일부 상가로 변경해 탈세" | date = 25 October 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201110251623321&code=910110 | work |
The spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Lee Yong-seop (이용섭), said that the presidential family's current residence was [[Tax evasion|evading tax]] by declaring parts of the building for ''commercial'' purposes.<ref>{{cite news | first = Bong-seok (봉석) | last = Sohn (손) | script-title=ko:민주당 "이 대통령 논현동 사저, 일부 상가로 변경해 탈세" | date = 25 October 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201110251623321&code=910110 | work=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] | access-date = 19 November 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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===Relatives' corruption charges=== |
===Relatives' corruption charges=== |
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There were criticism of Lee's [[nepotism]] for his older brother, [[Lee Sang-deuk]], whose personal aide was charged for taking $0.5 ~ $0.6 million from SLS Group.<ref>{{cite news | first = Yong-uk (용욱) | last = Lee (이) | script-title=ko:위기 맞은 이상득 | date = 10 December 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201112100305045&code=910402 | work |
There were criticism of Lee's [[nepotism]] for his older brother, [[Lee Sang-deuk]], whose personal aide was charged for taking $0.5 ~ $0.6 million from SLS Group.<ref>{{cite news | first = Yong-uk (용욱) | last = Lee (이) | script-title=ko:위기 맞은 이상득 | date = 10 December 2011 | url = http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201112100305045&code=910402 | work=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] | access-date = 10 December 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> Lee Sang-deuk himself also served 14 months prison time for taking bribes from Solomon [[Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea|Supreme Prosecutors]] for extorting funds for [[the Four Major Rivers Project]].<ref>{{cite news | first = Hye-rim (혜림) | last = Bae (배) | script-title=ko:'4대강 사업 비리' 대통령 사촌형 일가 고발 | date = 15 September 2011 | url = http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2011091517322945989&outlink=1 | work = Money Today | access-date = 5 October 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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=== Detention === |
=== Detention === |
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Lee was detained on 22 March 2018 on charges of receiving 11 billion Korean won (~US$10 million) worth of bribes and slush funds worth 35 billion Korean won (~US$33 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/hotissue/read.nhn?mid=hot&sid1=100&cid=1070398&iid=5088872&oid=001&aid=0009976445&ptype=052|script-title=ko:'뇌물·다스 횡령' 이명박 구속…전직 대통령 2명 동시구속 재연(종합3보)}}</ref> |
Lee was detained on 22 March 2018 on charges of receiving 11 billion Korean won (~US$10 million) worth of bribes and slush funds worth 35 billion Korean won (~US$33 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.naver.com/main/hotissue/read.nhn?mid=hot&sid1=100&cid=1070398&iid=5088872&oid=001&aid=0009976445&ptype=052|script-title=ko:'뇌물·다스 횡령' 이명박 구속…전직 대통령 2명 동시구속 재연(종합3보)}}</ref> |
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He is accused of taking bribes from [[Samsung]] of nearly $6 million in exchange for a presidential pardon for Samsung chairman [[Lee Kun-hee]] who was in prison for [[tax evasion]] and [[Securities fraud|stock fraud]]. It is alleged that this money was used to pay legal fees for DAS, a car-parts manufacturing firm owned by Lee's brother.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-south-korean-president-lee-indicted-on-graft-charges-1523266262|title=Former South Korean President Lee Indicted on Graft Charges|last=Jeong|first=Andrew|date=9 April 2018|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=9 April 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> |
He is accused of taking bribes from [[Samsung]] of nearly $6 million in exchange for a presidential pardon for Samsung chairman [[Lee Kun-hee]] who was in prison for [[tax evasion]] and [[Securities fraud|stock fraud]]. It is alleged that this money was used to pay legal fees for DAS, a car-parts manufacturing firm owned by Lee's brother.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-south-korean-president-lee-indicted-on-graft-charges-1523266262|title=Former South Korean President Lee Indicted on Graft Charges|last=Jeong|first=Andrew|date=9 April 2018|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=9 April 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> |
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Lee is also accused of embezzling $700k of government money that was initially set aside for Seoul's intelligence agency.<ref name=":0" /> |
Lee is also accused of embezzling $700k of government money that was initially set aside for Seoul's intelligence agency.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The Seoul Central District Court convicted Lee of embezzling 24.6 billion won ($21.7 million) from a company he owned; taking bribes from Samsung, one of his spy chiefs and a former lawmaker; causing a loss to state coffer; and committing other crimes. The court fined Lee 13 billion won ($11.5 million). It said Lee committed those crimes before and during his presidency, from 2008 to 2013. |
The Seoul Central District Court convicted Lee of embezzling 24.6 billion won ($21.7 million) from a company he owned; taking bribes from Samsung, one of his spy chiefs and a former lawmaker; causing a loss to state coffer; and committing other crimes. The court fined Lee 13 billion won ($11.5 million). It said Lee committed those crimes before and during his presidency, from 2008 to 2013. |
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On 29 October 2020, the Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence for Lee Myung-bak for bribery and embezzlement, the 13 billion won ($11.4 million) fine and the additional forfeiture of 5.78 billion won ($5 million).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sang-Hun |first=Choe |date=2020-10-29 |title=Former South Korean President Ordered Back to Prison for Bribery |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/world/asia/south-korea-president-bribery.html |access-date= |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=S. Korea's top court upholds ex-leader's 17-year jail term |url=https://apnews.com/article/international-news-lee-myung-bak-south-korea-crime-courts-358b9df643cb8c09dc4fb71fe5266612 |access-date= |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=South Korean ex-president Lee ordered back to prison for 17 years |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/10/29/south-korean-ex-president-lee-ordered-back-to-prison-for-17-years |access-date= |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> On 27 December 2022, incumbent President [[Yoon Suk-yeol]] granted Lee a special pardon.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite |
On 29 October 2020, the Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence for Lee Myung-bak for bribery and embezzlement, the 13 billion won ($11.4 million) fine and the additional forfeiture of 5.78 billion won ($5 million).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sang-Hun |first=Choe |date=2020-10-29 |title=Former South Korean President Ordered Back to Prison for Bribery |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/world/asia/south-korea-president-bribery.html |access-date= |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=S. Korea's top court upholds ex-leader's 17-year jail term |url=https://apnews.com/article/international-news-lee-myung-bak-south-korea-crime-courts-358b9df643cb8c09dc4fb71fe5266612 |access-date= |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=South Korean ex-president Lee ordered back to prison for 17 years |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/10/29/south-korean-ex-president-lee-ordered-back-to-prison-for-17-years |access-date= |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> On 27 December 2022, incumbent President [[Yoon Suk-yeol]] granted Lee a special pardon.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yoon |first=Dasl |title=Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Given Special Pardon |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-south-korean-president-lee-myung-bak-given-special-pardon-11672122108 |access-date=2022-12-27 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=27 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-27 |title=South Korea Ex-President Lee to Be Freed From Prison on Pardon |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-27/south-korea-ex-president-lee-to-be-freed-from-prison-on-pardon |access-date=2022-12-27}}</ref> |
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==In popular culture== |
==In popular culture== |
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{{further|Naneun Ggomsuda}} |
{{further|Naneun Ggomsuda}} |
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*[[Lee Myung-bak rat poster incident]] |
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*Portrayed by [[Yu In-chon]] in the 1990-1991 KBS 2TV TV series ''The Years Of Ambition'' ([[:ko:야망의 세월|야망의 세월]] Yamang-ui sewol) inspired the character under the name Park Hyung-seop.<ref name="MyDaily" /> |
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*Portrayed by [[Yoo Dong-geun]] in the 2004-2005 MBC TV series ''Age of Heroes'' ([[:ko:영웅시대 (2004년 드라마)|영웅시대]] Yeong-ungsidae) inspired the character under the name Park Dae-chul.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=020&aid=0000241560|title=[방송]유동근 MBC '영웅시대'서 박대철역 맡아|trans-title=[Broadcasting] Yoo Dong-geun takes on the role of Park Dae-chul in MBC's 'Age of Heroes'|publisher=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]]|via=[[Naver]]|date=28 May 2004|access-date=6 July 2023|language=ko}}</ref> |
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*The [[United Colors of Benetton]] presented a [[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshopped]] image of Lee and North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-il]] kissing for the 2011 campaign, ''unhate''.<ref>{{cite news | title = Benetton 'Unhate' Campaign Shows World Leaders Kissing | date = 16 November 2011 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/benetton-unhate-campaign-world-leaders-kissing_n_1097333.html | work = Huffington Post | access-date = 17 November 2011 | first=Eline | last=Gordts}}</ref> |
*The [[United Colors of Benetton]] presented a [[Adobe Photoshop|Photoshopped]] image of Lee and North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-il]] kissing for the 2011 campaign, ''unhate''.<ref>{{cite news | title = Benetton 'Unhate' Campaign Shows World Leaders Kissing | date = 16 November 2011 | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/benetton-unhate-campaign-world-leaders-kissing_n_1097333.html | work = Huffington Post | access-date = 17 November 2011 | first=Eline | last=Gordts}}</ref> |
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*A US-based South Korean artist released a comical portrait of Lee Myung-bak in a [[Nazi uniform]], similar to [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s [[The Great Dictator]], to the public; he was later arrested.<ref>{{cite news | first = Bo-ra (보라) | last = Nahm (남) | title = MB 풍자 그림 재미작가가 붙였다 | date = 9 December 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201112/h2011120920580621950.htm | work = Hankook Ilbo | access-date = 10 December 2011 | language = ko | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111209225039/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201112/h2011120920580621950.htm | archive-date = 9 December 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
*A US-based South Korean artist released a comical portrait of Lee Myung-bak in a [[Nazi uniform]], similar to [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s [[The Great Dictator]], to the public; he was later arrested.<ref>{{cite news | first = Bo-ra (보라) | last = Nahm (남) | title = MB 풍자 그림 재미작가가 붙였다 | date = 9 December 2011 | url = http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201112/h2011120920580621950.htm | work = [[Hankook Ilbo]] | access-date = 10 December 2011 | language = ko | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111209225039/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201112/h2011120920580621950.htm | archive-date = 9 December 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> |
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*Seo Gi-ho (서기호), a judge who received warnings from his superiors because he had published strong anti-Lee remarks despite being a civil servant, expressed positive support through Twitter to a [[Gyeonggido]] [[Guri]]-based middle school teacher. The teacher received strong criticism and awaited discipline from his school after students and parents complained that he used exam questions to convey his anti-Lee agenda to his students.<ref>{{cite news | first = Seong-heum (성흠) | last = Cho (조) | script-title=ko:서기호판사, '대통령 조롱조' 교사에 "버텨라" | date = 17 December 2011 | url = http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2011/12/17/0200000000AKR20111217025600004.HTML | work |
*Seo Gi-ho (서기호), a judge who received warnings from his superiors because he had published strong anti-Lee remarks despite being a civil servant, expressed positive support through Twitter to a [[Gyeonggido]] [[Guri]]-based middle school teacher. The teacher received strong criticism and awaited discipline from his school after students and parents complained that he used exam questions to convey his anti-Lee agenda to his students.<ref>{{cite news | first = Seong-heum (성흠) | last = Cho (조) | script-title=ko:서기호판사, '대통령 조롱조' 교사에 "버텨라" | date = 17 December 2011 | url = http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2011/12/17/0200000000AKR20111217025600004.HTML | work=[[Yonhap News Agency]] | access-date = 25 December 2011 | language = ko}}</ref> |
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==Awards and honors== |
==Awards and honors== |
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**[[File:Order_of_the_Seraphim_-_Ribbon_bar.svg|70px]] Knight of the [[Royal Order of the Seraphim]] |
**[[File:Order_of_the_Seraphim_-_Ribbon_bar.svg|70px]] Knight of the [[Royal Order of the Seraphim]] |
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*{{flag|Indonesia}} (2012) |
*{{flag|Indonesia}} (2012) |
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**[[File:Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna |
**[[File:Pita (Ribbon) Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna.png|70px]] [[Star of the Republic of Indonesia]], 1st class<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20121104000302|title=Lee to visit Indonesia, Thailand for democracy forum, economic cooperation talks|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=2012-11-04|access-date=2022-09-19}}</ref> |
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==Electoral history== |
==Electoral history== |
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{{Election box begin no change |
{{Election box begin no change |
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| title = [[1996 South Korean legislative election]] : [[Jongno District]]<ref name=Commission>[http://info.nec.go.kr/ National Election Commission]</ref> |
| title = [[1996 South Korean legislative election]] : [[Jongno (constituency)|Jongno District]]<ref name=Commission>[http://info.nec.go.kr/ National Election Commission]</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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*[[The Hankyoreh]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130615103617/http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/230316.html Who is Lee Myung-bak?] |
*[[The Hankyoreh]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130615103617/http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/230316.html Who is Lee Myung-bak?] |
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*[[The Korea Times]], [http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/08/180_8650.html Economy-First Trademark Gives Lee Myung-bak Edge] |
*[[The Korea Times]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930011139/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/08/180_8650.html Economy-First Trademark Gives Lee Myung-bak Edge] |
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*[[The Chosun Ilbo]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20071021014405/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200710/200710170022.html TIME Names Lee Myung-bak 'Hero of Environment'] |
*[[The Chosun Ilbo]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20071021014405/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200710/200710170022.html TIME Names Lee Myung-bak 'Hero of Environment'] |
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*[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200601/kt2006011120253211950.htm Meet the Presidential Hopefuls: Lee Myung-bak] at The Korea Times |
*[http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200601/kt2006011120253211950.htm Meet the Presidential Hopefuls: Lee Myung-bak] at The Korea Times |
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{{s-par|kr}} |
{{s-par|kr}} |
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{{s-bef|before=Lee Jong-chan}} |
{{s-bef|before=Lee Jong-chan}} |
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]]<br />from [[Jongno District]]|years=1996–1998}} |
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]]<br />from [[Jongno (constituency)|Jongno District]]|years=1996–1998}} |
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{{s-aft|after=[[Roh Moo-hyun]]}} |
{{s-aft|after=[[Roh Moo-hyun]]}} |
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{{s-off}} |
{{s-off}} |
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[[Category:1941 births]] |
[[Category:1941 births]] |
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[[Category:Korea University alumni]] |
[[Category:Korea University alumni]] |
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[[Category:Zainichi Korean |
[[Category:Zainichi Korean politicians]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Mayors of Seoul]] |
[[Category:Mayors of Seoul]] |
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[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]] |
[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin]] |
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]] |
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[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]] |
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]] |
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[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Sun of Peru]] |
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Sun of Peru]] |
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[[Category:21st-century South Korean politicians]] |
[[Category:21st-century South Korean politicians]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of South Korean presidential pardons]] |
[[Category:Recipients of South Korean presidential pardons]] |
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[[Category:20th-century presidents in Asia]] |
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[[Category:South Korean anti-communists]] |
Revision as of 13:56, 3 July 2024
Lee Myung-bak | |
---|---|
이명박 | |
![]() Official portrait, 2008 | |
10th President of South Korea | |
In office 25 February 2008 – 24 February 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Han Seung-soo Chung Un-chan Kim Hwang-sik |
Preceded by | Roh Moo-hyun |
Succeeded by | Park Geun-hye |
32nd Mayor of Seoul | |
In office 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2006 | |
Preceded by | Goh Kun |
Succeeded by | Oh Se-hoon |
Member of the National Assembly | |
In office 30 May 1996 – 21 February 1998 | |
Preceded by | Lee Jong-chan |
Succeeded by | Roh Moo-hyun |
Constituency | Jongno (Seoul) |
In office 30 May 1992 – 29 May 1996 | |
Constituency | Proportional representation |
Personal details | |
Born | Osaka, Japan | 19 December 1941
Political party | Independent (2017–present)[1] |
Other political affiliations | Saenuri (until 2017)[2] |
Spouse | |
Alma mater | Korea University (BBA) |
Religion | Presbyterianism |
Signature | ![]() |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 이명박 |
Hanja | 李明博 |
Revised Romanization | I Myeongbak |
McCune–Reischauer | Yi Myŏngbak |
Art name | |
Hangul | 일송 |
Hanja | 一松 |
Revised Romanization | Ilsong |
McCune–Reischauer | Ilsong |
Lee Myung-bak (Korean: 이명박; /ˌmjʌŋ ˈbɑːk/; Korean: [i.mjʌŋ.bak̚]; born 19 December 1941) often referred to by his initials MB, is a South Korean businessman and politician who served as the 10th (17th election) president of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. Before his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction, and the mayor of Seoul from 2002 to 2006.
He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother, Lee Sang-deuk, is a South Korean politician. He is a Christian attending Somang Presbyterian Church.[4] Lee is a graduate of Korea University and received an honorary degree from Paris Diderot University in 2011.[5]
Lee altered the South Korean government's approach to North Korea, preferring a more hardline strategy in the wake of increased provocation from the North, though he was supportive of regional dialogue with Russia, China and Japan. Under Lee, South Korea increased its visibility and influence in the global scene, resulting in the hosting of the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit.[6][7][8] However, significant controversy remains in Korea regarding high-profile government initiatives which have caused some factions to engage in civil opposition and protest against the incumbent government and President Lee's Saenuri Party (formerly the Grand National Party).[9][10] The reformist faction within the Saenuri Party was at odds with Lee.[11] He ended his five-year term on 24 February 2013, and was succeeded by Park Geun-hye.
On 22 March 2018, Lee was arrested on charges of bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion alleged to have occurred during his presidency.[12][13][14] Prosecutors accused Lee of receiving bribes totaling 11 billion won and channeling assets of 35 billion won to an illicit slush fund.[14] Shortly before his arrest, Lee posted a handwritten statement on Facebook denying the charges.[13] Lee's arrest occurred roughly a year after the arrest of former president Park Geun-Hye, who was arrested on charges stemming from the 2016 South Korean political scandal. Lee was convicted on 5 October 2018 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.[15] On 29 October 2020, the Korean Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence against Lee given to him by an appellate court.[16] On 27 December 2022, President Yoon Suk-yeol granted Lee a special pardon, cancelling the remaining 15 years of the sentence.[17]
Early life and education
Lee Myung-bak was born 19 December 1941, in Osaka, Japan. His parents emigrated to Japan in 1929, nineteen years after the Japanese annexation of Korea. Lee's father, Lee Chung-u (이충우; 李忠雨), was employed as a farm labourer in rural Japan, and his mother, Chae Tae-won (채태원; 蔡太元), was a housewife. He was the fifth of seven children.
In 1945, after the end of World War II, his family returned to his father's hometown of Pohang, in North Gyeongsang Province, then an American-occupied portion of the Korean Peninsula.[18][19] Lee's sister, Lee Ki-sun, believed that they smuggled themselves into the country to avoid having the officials confiscate the property they acquired in Japan. However, their ship was wrecked off the coast of Tsushima island. They lost all their belongings and barely survived. Lee personally witnessed the deaths of his older sister and a younger brother, who were killed in the bombardment of Pohang, during the Korean War.[20][21]
Lee attended night school at Dongji Commercial High School in Pohang and received a scholarship. A year after graduation, Lee gained admission to Korea University. In 1964, during his third year in college, Lee was elected president of the student council. That year, Lee participated in student demonstrations against President Park Chung Hee's Seoul-Tokyo Talks, taking issue with Japanese restitution for the colonization of the Korean Peninsula. He was charged with plotting insurrection and was sentenced to five years' probation and three years' imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Korea. He served a little under three months of his sentence at the Seodaemun Prison in Seoul.[22]
In his autobiography, Lee wrote that he was discharged from Korea's mandatory military service due to a diagnosis of acute bronchiectasis while at the Nonsan Training Facility.[23]
Business career
In 1965, Lee started work at Hyundai Construction, the company which was awarded Korea's first-ever overseas construction project, a $5.2 million contract to build the Pattani-Narathiwat Highway in Thailand. Shortly after he was hired by the company, Lee was sent to Thailand to participate in the project, which was successfully completed in March 1968. Lee returned to Korea and was subsequently given charge of Hyundai's heavy machinery plant in Seoul.[24]
It was during his three decades with the Hyundai Group that Lee earned the nickname "Raging Bulldozer". On one occasion, he completely dismantled a malfunctioning bulldozer to study its mechanics and figure out how to repair it, only to run it over with another bulldozer that was often operated by Lee himself.[25]
Lee became a company director at the age of 29, five years after he joined the company. He later became the CEO at age 35, becoming Korea's youngest CEO in history. In 1988, he was named chairman of Hyundai Construction at the age of 47.[24]
When he began work at Hyundai in 1965, the company had 90 employees; when he left as chairman 27 years later, it had more than 160,000.[26] Soon after the successful completion of the Pattani-Narathiwat Highway by Hyundai Construction, Korea's construction industry began to focus its efforts on encouraging the creation of new markets in countries such as Vietnam and the Middle East. Following the decline of construction demands from Vietnam in the 1960s, Hyundai Construction turned its focus toward the Middle East. The company continued to be a major player in construction projects with the successful completion of international projects including the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard, the Diplomatic Hotel in Bahrain, and the Jubail Industrial Harbor Projects in Saudi Arabia, also known as "the great history of the 20th century". At that time, the amount of orders received by the Korean construction company exceeded US$10 billion, which contributed to overcoming the national crisis resulting from the oil shock.[27]
Early political career
In 1992, Lee made the transition from business to politics, leaving Hyundai after a 27-year career. He joined the Democratic Liberal Party instead of the Unification National Party, founded by Chung Ju-yung. He was elected as a member of the 14th Korean National Assembly (for Proportional representation). Upon his election, he stated that he ran for the office because "after watching Mikhail Gorbachev change the world, I wanted to see if I could do the same."[19] In 1995, he ran for the city of Seoul's mayoral election, but lost to former prime minister Chung Won-sik during the primary of the Democratic Liberal Party.
In 1996, Lee was reelected as a member of the Korean National Assembly, representing Jongno-gu in Seoul. One of his opponents was future president Roh Moo-hyun, who ranked third place.
In 1999, Lee was a visiting scholar at the George Washington University, in Washington, DC.[28]
Into his second-term, his former secretary Kim Yoo-chan disclosed that Lee had spent excessively in his election campaign, often at the expense of taxpayers outside of his district. After receiving US$18,000 from Lee, Kim wrote a letter reversing his disclosure and fled to Tajikistan.[29] Lee resigned in 1998 before being fined US$6.5 million for breaking election law and forcing Kim to flee.[30][31] In the by-election held after his resignation, Roh Moo-hyun was elected as his successor.
Mayor of Seoul
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Seoul_Cheonggyecheon_night.jpg/220px-Seoul_Cheonggyecheon_night.jpg)
In 2002, Lee ran for mayor of Seoul and won. As the Mayor of Seoul, some of Lee's projects included the restoration of the Cheonggyecheon stream, the creation of Seoul Forest, the opening of Seoul Forest Park, the construction of a grassy field in front of Seoul City Hall, and the addition of rapid transit buses to the city's transportation system.[24][32][33][34] His administration transformed the area around Seoul City Hall from a concrete traffic circle to a public lawn for gatherings.[24]
The Live Music Camp incident occurred in 2005, during his reign. Lee suggested that Hongdae concerts be regulated by authorities,[35] which prompted political rivals to compare Lee to former dictator Park Chung Hee.[36] Minister of Culture Yu In-chon convinced him not to do so.[37]
2007 presidential election
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Lee_Myung-bak.2007.jpg/200px-Lee_Myung-bak.2007.jpg)
On 10 May 2007, Lee officially declared his intention to seek the nomination of the Grand National Party (GNP) as its presidential candidate. On 20 August 2007, he defeated Park Geun-hye in the GNP's primary to become the party's nominee for the 2007 presidential election. During the primary, Lee was accused of profiting from illegal speculation on land owned in Dogok-dong, an expensive neighborhood in Seoul.[38] However, in August 2007, the prosecutors said in the interim announcement, "We do suspect Lee's brother's claim over the land in Dogok-dong, but have failed to verify the real owner of the asset."[39] On 28 September 2007, the prosecutory authority officially dropped the suspicion that the Dogok land was under a borrowed name, announcing, "We have done all necessary investigations, including tracing the proceeds from the sale of the land and call history, and now got to the bottom of this case."[40] In December 2007, a few days before the presidential election, Lee announced that he would donate all of his assets to society.[41]
Lee's stated goals were expressed in the "747 Plan" and included: 7% annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP), US$40,000 per capita, and transforming Korea into the world's seventh largest economy. An important part of his platform was the Grand Korean Waterway (한반도 대운하) project from Busan to Seoul, which he believed would lead to an economic revival. His political opponents criticized the project, saying it was unrealistic and too costly to be realized. Others were concerned about possible negative environmental impact.
Signaling a departure from his previous views on North Korea, Lee announced a plan to "engage" North Korea through investment. He promised to form a consultative body with the North to discuss furthering economic ties. The body would have subcommittees on the economy, education, finance, infrastructure and welfare, and a cooperation fund of $40 billion. He promised to seek a Korean Economic Community agreement to establish the legal and systemic framework for any projects emerging from the negotiations, and called for the formation of an aid office in North Korea as a way of decoupling humanitarian aid from nuclear talks.[42]
His foreign policy initiative was called MB Doctrine,[43] which advocates "engaging" North Korea and strengthening the US-Korean alliance.
BBK scandal
During the 2007 presidential election, questions about his relationship with a company called BBK were raised. In 1999, Lee was alleged to have met an American and established the LKE Bank with him. However, this enterprise went bankrupt less than a year later. The corrupt Korean prosecutors manipulated BBK case so that Lee was found not to be guilty. However, in 2018 Lee was arrested for charges related to BBK. Although, the prosecutor claimed in 2007 that Lee had nothing to do with DAS, a corporation that funded BBK, in 2018 the same prosecution office found that DAS is owned and controlled by Lee.[citation needed]
Presidency (2008–13)
In spite of the lowest voter turnout ever for a presidential election in South Korea, Lee won the presidential election in December 2007 with 48.7% of the vote which was considered a landslide.[44][45][46] He finished with a nearly 2-to-1 margin over his nearest challenger, Chung Dong-young of the Grand Unified Democratic New Party. To date, it is the largest margin of victory since the resumption of direct presidential elections in 1987.[47] He took the oath of office on 25 February 2008, vowing to revitalize the economy, strengthen relations with the United States and "deal with" North Korea.[48] Specifically, Lee declared that he would pursue a campaign of "global diplomacy" and seek further cooperative exchanges with regional neighbors Japan, China, and Russia. He further pledged to strengthen South Korea–United States relations and implement a tougher policy with regard to North Korea, ideas that are promoted as the MB Doctrine.
Lee stated that he wanted to restore better relations with the United States through a greater emphasis on free market solutions.[49][50]
Two months after his inauguration, Lee's approval ratings stood at 28%,[51] and by June 2008 they had reached 17%.[52] U.S. President George W. Bush and Lee also discussed the ratification of the South Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement or KORUS FTA, which faced opposition from legislators in both countries. While Lee's agreement during the summit to partially lift the ban on US beef imports was expected to remove the obstacles in approving the KORUS FTA in the US,[53] many Koreans protested the resumption of U.S. beef imports.[54]
As protests escalated, the Korean government issued a statement warning that violent protesters would be punished, and measures would be taken to stop clashes between police and protesters. The protests continued for more than two months, and the original purpose of the candlelight vigils against U.S. beef imports was replaced by others, such as opposition to the privatization of public companies, education policy, and construction of the canal. The damages caused by protesters to the businesses around the demonstration and the social cost reached approximately 3,751,300,000,000 South Korean won.[55]
According to The Wall Street Journal, Lee's plan to privatize public companies was a modest but "perhaps important step" toward reform.[56]
As the government gained more stability, the approval rating of Lee's administration rose to 32.8%. Since the resumption of U.S. beef imports, more people are buying U.S. beef and now it has the second largest market share in Korea, after Australian beef.[57][58]
Lee's approval ratings reflected public perception of Korea's economic situation in the wake of the global economic meltdown. Signs of a strengthening economy and a landmark $40 billion deal won by a Korean consortium to build nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates boosted Lee's popularity. His approval rating in January 2010 stood at 51.6%.[59]
As of late 2011, Lee's administration had a series of corruption allegations surrounding certain high-ranking government employees.[60]
Education policy
The Lee administration introduced a tailor-made educational system and established the National Scholarship Foundation, which offers services such as student loans and loan counseling. In addition, the government promoted an income contingency pay-later plan to help out those struggling to pay tuition fees.[61]
Teachers were highly critical of these changes, arguing that Lee wanted to turn Korean education into a "free market," while ignoring the underfunding of education in regions outside the Seoul area.[62] However, the government designated 82 well-performing high schools in rural areas as "public boarding school" and granted funds amounting to 317 billion won in total, with 3.8 billion won each on average.[63]
The Lee government planned to use a pool of young Korean Americans for the promotion of after-school English education in public schools in rural areas, with the aim to improve the quality of education.[64] Prior to assuming the presidency, Lee's transition team announced it would implement a nationwide English-immersion program to provide students with the language tools necessary to be successful in a highly globalized world. Under this program, all classes would have been taught in English by 2010. However, Lee abandoned the program after facing strong opposition from parents, teachers, and education specialists.[65] He then attempted to implement a program where all English courses in middle and secondary schools would be taught in English only, which would require the government to educate many teachers in Korea and recruit university students studying abroad in English-speaking countries. [citation needed]
Economic policy
"Mbnomics" is the term applied to Lee's macroeconomic policy.[66] The term is a portmanteau derived by combining his initials (Myung-bak, Mb) and the term economics (-nomics) to form "Mbnomics". Kang Man-Soo, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, is credited with coining the term and the design of Mbnomics.[67]
The centerpiece of Lee's economic revitalization was his "Korea 7·4·7" plan. The plan took its name from its goals: to bring 7% economic growth during his term, raise Korea's per capita income to US$40,000, and make Korea the world's seventh largest economy. As Lee put it, his government is mandated with creating a new Korea where "the people are affluent, society is warm and the state strong." To this end, he planned to follow a pragmatic, market-friendly strategy: smart market economy, empirical pragmatism, and democratic activism.[24]
Lee wanted to move to low-carbon growth in coming decades. The government hoped to be a bridge between rich and poor countries in fighting global warming by setting itself goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved by 2020.[68] In connection with the recent financial shock from the United States, President Lee emphasized the importance of solid cooperation between political and business circles. He proposed a tripartite meeting among the finance ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China aimed at coordinating policies to cope with the credit crisis.[69]
Around early 2011, Mbnomics gained a negative reputation due to tax reduction plans for the rich, the failure to privatize or merge large banks, and failure to provide affordable housing.[70] The middle-aged and senior Korean population usually supported Lee Myung-bak. However, businesspeople in their 50s–60s in the construction and real estate sectors withdrew their support of Lee after the 2010 regional election and 2012 presidential election.[71]
Oh Geon-ho (오건호), the head of the Public Policy Institute for People, criticized parts of Mbnomics as "over-financing big private companies" and "worsening the fiscal state of the country".[72]
On 7 September 2011, the Blue House officially scrapped plans for a rich tax deduction, marking the foundational end of Mbnomics.[73]
Canal
The Grand Korean Waterway, officially known as the Pan Korea Grand Waterway, is a proposed 540-kilometer (340 mi) long canal, traversing difficult mountainous terrain, connecting Seoul and Busan, two of South Korea's largest cities. The canal would run diagonally across the country, connecting the Han River, which flows through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, to the Nakdong River, which flows through Busan into the Korea Strait.
Few opponents of the project argue that, during the construction process, damage to the environment could be caused by the concrete facility. However, one study states that when environmentally friendly methods of construction (like "swamp-restoration") are adopted, there will be a net positive effect (such as improving the Han River).[74] Buddhist groups have voiced fears that it would submerge nearby Buddhist relics,[75] which would cause irreparable damage to a significant portion of Korea's cultural legacy.[76] On the other hand, some say that once the Kyungboo Canal is developed, another 177 cultural assets could be discovered during excavations, which could be used for a tourist attraction. In particular, the development of the canal would increase the accessibility to cultural assets that are far to reach, and hence more efficient management of those assets would be possible.[77] Lee's promise to build the Grand Korean Waterway stalled due to low public opinion.[78]
If successful, Lee maintained that his plan, which would include dredging and other measures to improve Korea's waterways, would decrease water pollution, and bring economic benefits to local communities. Speaking in 2005 about the project, Lee said, "Many journalists questioned me why I keep commenting on the building of the canal. However, it's a simple fact that many cities around the world were benefited by making the best use of their rivers and seas."[24] At a special conference held on 19 June 2008, President Lee announced that he would drop the Grand Canal project if the public opposed the idea, and the premier confirmed this statement on 8 September 2008.[79] Despite this assurance, many now accuse Lee of continuing the canal plan under the guise of "maintenance of the 4 great rivers (4대강 정비사업)."
Environmental and climate policy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/President_Lee_Myung-bak_gives_New_Year%27s_address%2C_2009.jpg/250px-President_Lee_Myung-bak_gives_New_Year%27s_address%2C_2009.jpg)
President Lee Myung-bak laid out an agenda for National Strategy for Green Growth and the Five-Year Plan for Green Growth in 2008. In February 2009, President Lee established the Presidential Committee on Green Growth, which absorbed the sustainable development commission and two other committees on energy and climate change under direct authority of the President. The Five-Year Plan for Green Growth laid out a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 relative to a ‘business-as-usual’ baseline implying a 4 per cent cut from the 2005 level.
The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project was a multi-purpose green growth project on the Han River (Korea), Nakdong River, Geum River and Yeongsan River in South Korea. The project was spearheaded by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and was declared complete on 21 October 2011. The restoration project's aims were to provide or improve water security, improve flood control, and restore ecosystem vitality. It was first announced as part of the "Green New Deal" policy launched in January 2009, and was later included in the government's five-year national plan in July 2009. The government estimated its full investment and funding totaled 22.2 trillion won (approximately US$17.3 billion).
Although, former president Lee claimed that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project was Eco-friendly, its results face severe criticism from environmental experts both inside and outside of the government. It is well described in the report in Hankyoreh, August 2013.[80] The algae known to kill eco system of a river proliferated during summer season for many years and experts suspect it is because of weirs that slow or stop water flow. Furthermore, water quality near the Nakdong river deteriorated significantly after weirs were installed. The government already spent more than 3 trillion Korean won to keep the water potable as of August 2013.
Cabinet
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Sebasti%C3%A1n_Pi%C3%B1era_-_Lee_Myung-bak_%28cropped%29.jpg/200px-Sebasti%C3%A1n_Pi%C3%B1era_-_Lee_Myung-bak_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Lee Myung-bak faced strong criticism over his choice of political appointees, many of whom were wealthy. The concern was that Lee's appointees would favor policies that protect the rich, while failing to address the needs of the underprivileged. Another criticism was that these appointees have mostly chosen from the nation's southeast region (North Gyeongsang Province and South Gyeongsang Province), which is known as a GNP stronghold.[81]
While the fact that the property owned by high officials, including ministers, increased on average, most of them were legally-obtained and inherited property. Those ministers involved in the allegation of illegal real-estate speculation were already replaced. Hence, the average property owned by the three replaced ministers were only 1.7 billion won.[82] To set aside the alleged regional bias, Lee's first cabinet appointment procedure faithfully abided by the principles and rules by appointing four from Seoul and Yeongnam district, three from Honam, Gangwon, and Chungcheong province, and one from North Korea.[83]
Moreover, Lee's administration increased the welfare budget by 9% to help the poorest maintain the living and middle class's stability, and pursued many more policies for the benefit of the public than the former government.[84] His administration further claimed that the tax reforms undertaken, including the comprehensive property tax cut was not to benefit the wealthy and the haves, but to correct a wrongful tax according to the market principle.[85] Lee also had to face corruption charges leveled at his administration. Three appointees resigned amid suspicions of corruption, and his top intelligence chief and anticorruption aide faced accusations that they received bribes from The Samsung Group. Both Samsung and Lee denied the charges.[86] Those involved in the allegation of receiving bribes from Samsung group have been cleared of charges after special prosecutory investigation.[87]
On 7 July 2008, Lee named Ahn Byong-man, a presidential advisor for state future planning, as his new minister of education, science and technology. Jang Tae-pyoung, a former secretary general of the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption, became minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Grand National Party lawmaker Jeon Jae-hee minister of health, welfare and family affairs. In addition, Lee gave Prime Minister Han Seung-soo another chance in the belief that no proper working conditions had been provided for the cabinet due to many pending issues since the inauguration of the new administration.[88]
Foreign policy
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Bushes_greet_South_Korean_President_Lee_Myung-bak.jpg/250px-Bushes_greet_South_Korean_President_Lee_Myung-bak.jpg)
Lee was widely considered to be pro-U.S.[89] In mid-April 2008, Lee traveled to the United States for his first official overseas visit to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House and Camp David. Lee's more aggressive approach towards North Korea was described as a welcome change for Bush.[90]
The government's stance towards North Korea was not to violate the agreement made between the heads of the two Koreas, but to mull over the economic feasibility and realizable possibility through negotiation based on mutual trust and respect, and prioritizing going forward with the project.[91]
During a press conference, the two leaders expressed hope that North Korea would disclose the details of their nuclear weapons program, and pledged their commitment to resolve the issue through the multilateral six-party talks.[92] Lee also gave assurances that both the U.S. and South Korea would use dialogue to end the crisis.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Barack_Obama_and_Lee_Myung-bak.jpg/250px-Barack_Obama_and_Lee_Myung-bak.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/President_Lee_Myung-bak%E2%80%99s_2009_U.S._trip_%284345570516%29.jpg/250px-President_Lee_Myung-bak%E2%80%99s_2009_U.S._trip_%284345570516%29.jpg)
Multiple news outlets have remarked upon the apparently close friendship between Lee and U.S. President Barack Obama.[93][94] Despite Lee's wavering support at home, Lee's leadership was lauded by Obama at the 2009 G-20 London summit, where Obama called South Korea "[one of America's] closest allies and greatest friends." Obama and Lee agreed on a need "for a stern, united response from the international community" in light of North Korea's efforts toward a threatened satellite launch. Lee accepted an invitation by Obama to visit the United States on 16 June 2009.[95] President Obama hosted Lee for a day-long state visit and state dinner on 13 October 2011.[96]
Lee also played a role in bringing about the normalization of South Korea's relations with Russia. Furthermore, Lee built relationships with foreign leaders, including former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen,[97] former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, former Chinese Communist Party general secretary Jiang Zemin and former Soviet Union Communist Party general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. [citation needed]
US beef imports
On 18 April 2008, Lee's administration agreed on resumption of U.S. beef imports. Previously, Korea had banned U.S. beef after a cow infected with BSE that had originated from Canada was found in Washington state.[98][99] Fears that US beef imports in South Korea, in relation to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, would cause Mad Cow disease infected beef to be imported to South Korea came to a boil in the summer of 2008.
Ten days after the deal was formally signed, MBC’s current affairs program PD Note aired a multi-part episode titled "U.S. beef, is it safe from mad cow disease?" It was reported by MBC that Koreans carry a gene making them more susceptible to mad cow disease than Americans. This claim has since been retracted by MBC.[100][101] MBC further devoted 15 out of 25 other news slots to publicizing the issue showing images of downer cows from England and U.S., and reporting information such as claiming that variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) is easily transmittable through methods including blood transfusions, eating instant noodles containing beef products and using cosmetics made with cow-derived collagen. [102] People's roar in an Internet community, Agora, also helped demonstrations to demand the renegotiation of the terms of the import deal. [100]
As public anger continued to snowball, citizens started public demonstrations. On many nights, the rallies turned into confrontations with the police. When candles had burned out and children had gone home with their parents, many protesters were often attacked by riot-control policemen.[100]
In an interview, Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said that the policy would be pursued "with the maximum prudence, as it will take time for the U.S. to grasp the situation in Korea and gather opinions inside the industry." The government's policy is to ban import of beef from older cattle "under any circumstances, either through renegotiations between governments or self-regulation by importers."[103]
The Seoul Southern District Court ordered MBC to air a correction by the popular MBC current affairs program PD Note, saying that the report was partially wrong and exaggerated the threat of mad cow disease. The public anger towards resuming the beef deal is now regaining its composure as many people began to buy U.S. beef. The market share of U.S. beef currently stands at approximately 28.8% following Australian beef (top seller), but for 10-days prior to Korea's thanksgiving day, it was ranked the first among its competitors.[58]
Relations with North Korea
On 4 July 2011, during a mass rally in Pyongyang, Lee and his government were strongly criticized as traitors by spokesmen for the Korean People's Army and other elements of North Korean society. The Korean People's Army called for dealing "merciless deadly blows at the enemies till they are wiped out to the last man."[104]
His direct and tough policy towards North Korea promoted a negative image of him throughout North Korea. Lee's name became a target practice in the North Korean military as shown through the Korean Central Television on 6 March 2012.[105] In March 2010, Lee's presidency ended the Sunshine Policy, originally planned by Kim Dae-jung to improve relations with the North.[106][107]
On 5 May 2012, the Pyongyang Times newspaper published stories and pictures of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) workers threatening to "wipe out" the Lee clan.[108][109][23][110][111] The workers were upset at Lee for "having defiled the DPRK's supreme dignity when all the fellow countrymen were celebrating the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il-sung."[108]
Relations with Japan
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/President_Lee_Myung-bak_and_Japanese_Prime_Minister_Yukio_Hatoyama_held_a_summit_meeting_at_Cheong_Wa_Dae_on_Oct._9%2C_2009_%284347069193%29.jpg/250px-President_Lee_Myung-bak_and_Japanese_Prime_Minister_Yukio_Hatoyama_held_a_summit_meeting_at_Cheong_Wa_Dae_on_Oct._9%2C_2009_%284347069193%29.jpg)
Towards the end of his term in office, Lee began to take actions that caused friction between South Korea and neighboring Japan. On 10 August 2012, Lee flew to the Liancourt Rocks, known as Dokdo or Tokto (독도, literally "solitary island") in Korean, or Takeshima (たけしま/竹島, literally "bamboo island") in Japanese. He was the first Korean president to do so.[112] Japan temporarily withdrew its ambassador to South Korea Masatoshi Muto, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kōichirō Gemba summoned the South Korean ambassador to file a complaint[113] and threatened to lodge a case with the International Court of Justice, (ICJ) which was rejected by South Korea. It could do so because both countries party to a dispute must agree to such ICJ cases. It was the first time for Japan to make such a move in 47 years, since Japan and South Korea officially re-established relations in 1965.[114][115] Japan previously proposed bringing the issue to the ICJ in 1954 and 1964.[115]
In a speech on 13 August 2012, Lee said that his actions were motivated by a desire to force Japan to settle the comfort women issue.[116]
On 14 August 2012, on the eve of Liberation Day, Lee said that the Emperor of Japan Akihito should not visit Korea unless he apologized to the victims of Japan's past colonialism. He made the statement while speaking at a meeting of education officials. There were no specific plans for such a visit to take place, and Lee had previously been supportive to such a visit. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba both described the statement as "regrettable".[117] A government official speaking to the Asahi Simbun said: "It has made it impossible for a Japanese emperor to visit South Korea for the next 100 years".[118]
In his Liberation Day speech on 15 August 2012, Lee demanded that Japan take "responsible measures" for the comfort women, blaming Japan for violating women's human rights.[119]
Diplomatic achievements
President Lee embraced an aggressive approach to foreign policy, driving initiatives such as Green Korea and Global Korea. President Lee conducted frequent state visits to other countries and extended invitations to foreign counterparts to visit Korea from the time he took office. In 2009 alone, Lee visited 14 countries, including the U.S. and Thailand on 11 occasions and attended 38 summits.[120]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/KOCIS_Korea-China_summite_meeting_%284762397015%29.jpg/250px-KOCIS_Korea-China_summite_meeting_%284762397015%29.jpg)
As a result of his efforts, the decision to hold the G-20 Summit in Seoul in November 2010 was passed unanimously at the 2009 Pittsburgh summit. In a historic first, South Korea became the first non-G8 country to take the chairmanship of the forum, and in Toronto, President Lee rallied support for his proposal on creating global financial safety nets and addressing development issues.[121] At the G-20 Summit in Seoul, this led directly to the unanimous endorsement of the Seoul Development Consensus.
Under his administration, South Korea was admitted to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Representatives of the DAC member nations met at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretariat in Paris, France, in November 2009, and voted unanimously to admit South Korea as the 24th member. The DAC members provide more than 90 percent of the world's aid for impoverished developing nations, and South Korea is the only member nation that has gone from being an aid beneficiary to a donor.
President Lee's diplomatic efforts led to an agreement between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the UAE on the construction of a US$20 billion Korean standard nuclear power plant during his visit to the UAE at the end of 2009.[122]
President Lee also held bilateral summits with the leaders of the United States, Japan, and People's Republic of China to discuss North Korean affairs. In the wake of the ROKS Cheonan sinking, a joint declaration was issued by the G-8 leaders condemning the North.[123] President Lee succeeded in bringing the Cheonan incident to the forefront in the Chair's Statement for the Asia-Europe Meeting in 2010 at Brussels, drawing member nation support for the South Korean government's stance on North Korea's nuclear issue and stability in Northeast Asia. In addition, President Lee urged Japanese Prime Minister Kan Naoto to put his words on 15 August, Korea's Liberation Day into action. Regular reunions of the families separated by the Korean War drew attention as an international issue after being included in the Chair's Statement.[124]
Under the Lee administration, South Korea successfully concluded a free trade agreement with the European Union on 1 July 2011.[125]
Lee was involved in a surveillance scandal that encouraged both Saenuri Party and the Democratic United Party to put pressure against him.[126][127]
Controversies and issues
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BBK incident
Lee Myung-bak was alleged to have been involved in an illegal company named BBK, which brought controversy to South Korea during the election season. BBK co-founders were investigated for large-scale embezzlement and stock price-fixing schemes. They had initially stated that Lee was not involved with the company, and Lee himself denied being associated with BBK. They attempted to implicate Lee in criminal involvement, which was not supported by evidence.[128] He never admitted any wrongdoings, but the Korean press, controlled by Lee, made false report that he did.[129] Lee was declared innocent of all charges by the Supreme Court of Korea. However, that was because the Korean prosecutors manipulated the case. In 2018, Lee was arrested and his involvement in BBK and DAS was confirmed by the same prosecutor's office. According to leaked diplomatic cables, Yoo Chong-ha (유종하), the former co-chairman of Lee's presidential election campaign, requested then American ambassador to South Korea, Alexander Vershbow, to delay the extraction of the main individual of the BBK embezzlement scandal to Korea to prevent spreading controversies related to Lee's involvement in the BBK embezzlement scandal during the election season.[130][131][132][133]
Naegok-dong post-presidency residence issues
Lee's acquisition of a house in Seocho-gu's Naegok-dong under his son's name caused a problem. One of the candidate lands that he sought was a green belt area, which could cause contradiction about his "eco-friendly" governance.[134] This spurred many controversies. For instance, a female lobbyist-like civilian with the family name of Yoo was involved in this Naegok-dong deal with Lee's family members. She moved to the U.S. to avoid possible arrest.[135]
Lee purchased the land under his son's name, which could potentially violate South Korean real estate laws.[136] The prosecutors formally proposed to investigate President Lee's son, who was also involved in the contract.[137][138][139]
Legal professor Lee Sang-don, voiced his opinion that President Lee's Naegok-dong property crisis could justify his impeachment.[140]
Tax evasion
The spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Lee Yong-seop (이용섭), said that the presidential family's current residence was evading tax by declaring parts of the building for commercial purposes.[141]
Relatives' corruption charges
There were criticism of Lee's nepotism for his older brother, Lee Sang-deuk, whose personal aide was charged for taking $0.5 ~ $0.6 million from SLS Group.[142] Lee Sang-deuk himself also served 14 months prison time for taking bribes from Solomon Supreme Prosecutors for extorting funds for the Four Major Rivers Project.[143]
Detention
Lee was detained on 22 March 2018 on charges of receiving 11 billion Korean won (~US$10 million) worth of bribes and slush funds worth 35 billion Korean won (~US$33 million).[144]
He is accused of taking bribes from Samsung of nearly $6 million in exchange for a presidential pardon for Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee who was in prison for tax evasion and stock fraud. It is alleged that this money was used to pay legal fees for DAS, a car-parts manufacturing firm owned by Lee's brother.[145]
Lee is also accused of embezzling $700k of government money that was initially set aside for Seoul's intelligence agency.[145]
In early April he was indicted on graft charges.[145]
Conviction and sentence
On 5 October 2018, Lee Myung-bak was convicted of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.[146][15] He was also ordered to pay a 13 billion won ($11.5m; £8.8m) fine.[15] The corruption case badly tainted his status as the country's first leader with a business background who once symbolized the country's economic rise. Lee's conviction came six months after his successor and fellow conservative Park Geun-hye was convicted in a separate corruption scandal that triggered the country's biggest political turmoil in decades. Park is no longer serving a 25-year prison sentence. The back-to-back scandals badly wounded conservatives in South Korea and deepened a national divide. The Seoul Central District Court convicted Lee of embezzling 24.6 billion won ($21.7 million) from a company he owned; taking bribes from Samsung, one of his spy chiefs and a former lawmaker; causing a loss to state coffer; and committing other crimes. The court fined Lee 13 billion won ($11.5 million). It said Lee committed those crimes before and during his presidency, from 2008 to 2013.
On 29 October 2020, the Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence for Lee Myung-bak for bribery and embezzlement, the 13 billion won ($11.4 million) fine and the additional forfeiture of 5.78 billion won ($5 million).[147][148][149] On 27 December 2022, incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol granted Lee a special pardon.[17][150][151]
In popular culture
- Lee Myung-bak rat poster incident
- Portrayed by Yu In-chon in the 1990-1991 KBS 2TV TV series The Years Of Ambition (야망의 세월 Yamang-ui sewol) inspired the character under the name Park Hyung-seop.[37]
- Portrayed by Yoo Dong-geun in the 2004-2005 MBC TV series Age of Heroes (영웅시대 Yeong-ungsidae) inspired the character under the name Park Dae-chul.[152]
- The United Colors of Benetton presented a Photoshopped image of Lee and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il kissing for the 2011 campaign, unhate.[153]
- A US-based South Korean artist released a comical portrait of Lee Myung-bak in a Nazi uniform, similar to Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator, to the public; he was later arrested.[154]
- Seo Gi-ho (서기호), a judge who received warnings from his superiors because he had published strong anti-Lee remarks despite being a civil servant, expressed positive support through Twitter to a Gyeonggido Guri-based middle school teacher. The teacher received strong criticism and awaited discipline from his school after students and parents complained that he used exam questions to convey his anti-Lee agenda to his students.[155]
Awards and honors
National honours
Südkorea (2013)
Recipient of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa
Foreign honours
Peru (2008)
Kasachstan (2009)
Recipient of the Order of the Golden Eagle
Italien (2009)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate (2011)
Recipient of the Order of Zayed
Dänemark (2011)
Recipient of the Order of the Elephant
Schweden (2012)
Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
Indonesien (2012)
Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st class[156]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
New Korea | Lee Myung-bak | 40,230 | 41.0 | |
National Congress | Lee Jong-chan | 32,918 | 33.5 | |
United Democratic | Roh Mu-hyun | 17,330 | 17.6 | |
United Liberal Democrats | Kim Eul-dong | 6,602 | 6.7 | |
Total votes | 99,365 | 100.0 | ||
New Korea hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grand National | Lee Myung-bak | 1,819,057 | 52.2 | |
Millennium Democratic | Kim Min-seok | 1,496,754 | 43.0 | |
Democratic Labor | Lee Mun-ok | 87,965 | 2.5 | |
Total votes | 3,510,898 | 100.0 | ||
Grand National gain from Millennium Democratic |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grand National | Lee Myung-bak | 11,492,389 | 48.7 | |
New Democratic | Chung Dong-young | 6,174,681 | 26.1 | |
Independent | Lee Hoi-chang | 3,559,963 | 15.1 | |
Creative Korea | Moon Kook-hyun | 1,375,498 | 5.8 | |
Democratic Labor | Kwon Young-ghil | 712,121 | 3.0 | |
Total votes | 23,732,854 | 100.0 |
See also
Notes
References
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Translation: "Our father once used the Japanese surname Tsukiyama (月山) during the Japanese Colonial Period" said the National Assembly Vice Speaker Lee Sang-deuk, in which he is also known as the older brother of the former Mayor of Seoul, Lee Myung-bak, as he also revealed that "Former Mayor Lee kept using the Japanese surname that our father used for some time after 1941". He mentioned "it was inevitable to change the surname, in which our father was a poor commoner like the majority of Koreans back then. It was sad part of the nation," during a recent interview from Shin Donga.
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- ^ Bae (배), Hye-rim (혜림) (15 September 2011). '4대강 사업 비리' 대통령 사촌형 일가 고발. Money Today (in Korean). Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- ^ '뇌물·다스 횡령' 이명박 구속…전직 대통령 2명 동시구속 재연(종합3보).
- ^ a b c Jeong, Andrew (9 April 2018). "Former South Korean President Lee Indicted on Graft Charges". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ "South Korean Ex-Leader Lee Gets 15 Years for Corruption | Time". Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- ^ Sang-Hun, Choe (29 October 2020). "Former South Korean President Ordered Back to Prison for Bribery". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
- ^ "S. Korea's top court upholds ex-leader's 17-year jail term". AP NEWS. 29 October 2020.
- ^ "South Korean ex-president Lee ordered back to prison for 17 years". The Star. 29 October 2020.
- ^ Yoon, Dasl (27 December 2022). "Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Given Special Pardon". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "South Korea Ex-President Lee to Be Freed From Prison on Pardon". Bloomberg.com. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "[방송]유동근 MBC '영웅시대'서 박대철역 맡아" [[Broadcasting] Yoo Dong-geun takes on the role of Park Dae-chul in MBC's 'Age of Heroes'] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 6 July 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ Gordts, Eline (16 November 2011). "Benetton 'Unhate' Campaign Shows World Leaders Kissing". Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Nahm (남), Bo-ra (보라) (9 December 2011). "MB 풍자 그림 재미작가가 붙였다". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 9 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ Cho (조), Seong-heum (성흠) (17 December 2011). 서기호판사, '대통령 조롱조' 교사에 "버텨라". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "Lee to visit Indonesia, Thailand for democracy forum, economic cooperation talks". The Korea Herald. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b National Election Commission
Further reading
- 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
- Interview with the Korea Times, 1 July 2004
- The Evolution of a Man Called ‘Bulldozer’ NYT, 20 December 2007
External links
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