Lee Myung-bak

Lee Myung-bak – Life, Career, and Reflections of a South Korean Statesman

Discover the life, rise, presidency, controversies, and legacy of Lee Myung-bak (born December 19, 1941) — from his humble beginnings to becoming South Korea’s 10th president, his policies and political style, and the lessons from his complex legacy.

Introduction

Lee Myung-bak (Korean: 이명박), born December 19, 1941, is a South Korean business executive turned politician who served as the 10th President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. Before his presidency, he made his mark as a successful corporate leader (notably with Hyundai Engineering & Construction) and as the Mayor of Seoul (2002–2006). His tenure was marked by ambitious economic plans, infrastructure projects, and a more assertive stance in diplomacy and security. But his legacy is also complicated by corruption convictions, pardons, and fierce debate over his governance style.

Lee’s story resonates in the modern Korean political landscape: his rise represents the intertwining of business and politics, the challenges of balancing development and accountability, and the tensions between reformism and authoritarian tendencies.

Early Life and Family

Lee Myung-bak was born on December 19, 1941, in Osaka, Japan, where his Korean parents had emigrated to work as farm laborers under difficult conditions.

After the end of World War II and Japan’s surrender in 1945, Lee’s family returned to Korea (in 1946), settling in Pohang in what is now North Gyeongsang Province.

Growing up in relative poverty, Lee performed odd jobs and worked hard to support himself. His upbringing in a modest household, combined with early hardship, shaped his drive and self-reliant attributes.

Youth and Education

Lee attended Dongji Commercial High School in Pohang, where he went to night classes, worked, and earned a scholarship to continue his studies.

He gained admission to Korea University in Seoul, where he studied Business Administration.

At Korea University, Lee also became active in student politics, even participating in demonstrations and encountering legal consequences (for example, being charged in relation to demonstrations during his student years).

Lee’s educational and personal journey—rising from hardship, combining work and study—helped cultivate his reputation as someone who “pulled himself up by his bootstraps,” a narrative that he would invoke in his political career.

Business Career

Before politics, Lee spent decades working in the private sector, especially with Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) and affiliated Hyundai entities.

• Lee joined Hyundai in 1965.

• Over time, he rose to leadership positions, earning a reputation for being decisive, energetic, and assertive in tackling problems.

• He was known by the nickname “Bulldozer” for his hands-on style, directness, and willingness to push through challenges.

• By the time he left Hyundai (in the early 1990s) to enter politics, he had held high executive positions across multiple Hyundai companies.

This blend of business experience and reputation for action became a central part of his political brand.

Entry into Politics

Lee transitioned into politics in the early 1990s.

• In 1992, he was elected to Korea’s National Assembly via proportional representation as a member of the then ruling party.

• Later, he ran (and won) a seat representing Jongno District in Seoul.

• In 2002, Lee ran for Mayor of Seoul and won, taking office on July 1, 2002.

As mayor, Lee pursued high-visibility urban renewal projects and infrastructure improvements, which helped elevate his national profile.

His leadership in Seoul positioned him as a strong contender for the presidency.

Presidency (2008–2013)

Election & Mandate

Lee Myung-bak was elected President in December 2007, with about 48.7 % of the vote, and assumed office on February 25, 2008.

One of his flagship ideas was the “Korea 7·4·7 Plan”:

• Targeting 7 % economic growth

• Raising per capita income to US $40,000

• Positioning South Korea among the top 7 economies in the world

He also proposed the Pan-Korean Grand Waterway project (a canal linking Busan and Seoul via rivers) as a symbol of infrastructure revitalization, though it became controversial for cost, feasibility, and environmental concerns.

Economic and Domestic Policies

Lee’s administration emphasized “Mbnomics”, combining his initials and “economics,” focusing on market-friendly reforms, increased public investment, and selective stimulus in the wake of the global financial crisis.

During the 2008 global financial crisis, South Korea under Lee managed a relatively robust recovery, aided by stimulus measures and strategic fiscal policies.

His administration also pursued educational reforms: introducing income-contingent student loan programs, designating model high schools in rural regions, and attempting to promote English immersion (though parts of the plan were later scaled back due to backlash).

Foreign Policy & Diplomatic Initiatives

Lee pursued a more assertive foreign policy than predecessors in certain respects.

• He oversaw the hosting of the G-20 Seoul Summit in November 2010, marking a milestone for South Korea’s global standing.

• During his presidency, South Korea ratified the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which bolstered economic ties with the United States.

• Lee adopted a less conciliatory rhetorical approach toward North Korea, effectively ending parts of the prior “Sunshine Policy” and shifting to strategies combining pressure and engagement.

• In August 2012, Lee made a high-profile visit to Dokdo (Takeshima Islands)—territorially disputed islands claimed by both South Korea and Japan—leading to diplomatic tension with Japan.

Challenges, Criticism & Controversies

Lee’s presidency was not without controversy. Some of the notable issues include:

• Surveillance & monitoring scandals: Accusations that his administration used state surveillance on political opponents and media critics.

• BBK / DAS allegations: During and after the presidential campaign, there were allegations linking Lee to illicit investment firms (BBK, DAS). Lee denied involvement. While a Supreme Court ruling previously declared him innocent in some cases, later investigations and legal proceedings revisited these matters.

• Corruption & conviction: After leaving office, Lee faced charges of bribery, embezzlement, abuse of power, and tax evasion. In October 2018, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

  • In 2020, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a 17-year sentence for Lee.

  • Then, in December 2022, President Yoon Suk-yeol granted him a special pardon, cancelling the remaining sentence.

These legal and ethical controversies colored much of the public and historical assessment of his leadership.

Legacy and Influence

Lee Myung-bak remains a deeply polarizing figure in South Korean history. His legacy can be viewed from multiple angles:

Positive / enduring contributions

• He strengthened South Korea’s global profile, particularly via hosting the G-20 summit and pushing for greater diplomatic reach.

• His economic management during a global crisis is credited by some with helping Korea recover more quickly than many peers.

• His focus on infrastructure, urban renewal (stemming from his time as mayor), and modernization left tangible marks in Seoul and elsewhere.

Critiques and cautionary judgments

• His style—often top-down, technocratic, and businesslike—was sometimes criticized as lacking empathy or participatory governance.

• The corruption convictions, pardons, and unresolved accountability issues have damaged his moral authority in the eyes of many.

• Some of his grand infrastructure projects (like the canal) were criticized for overreach, environmental impact, or impracticality.

Overall, Lee’s career shows both the potential and hazards of a business-minded approach to governance in modern democracy.

Personality, Style & Strengths

Lee projected a public persona of decisiveness, efficiency, and managerial competence. His notable traits include:

• Pragmatism over ideology: He often framed his policies in technocratic or results-based terms rather than ideological rhetoric.

• Action orientation: Like his corporate days, Lee emphasized getting things done, pushing ambitious projects, and overcoming bureaucratic inertia.

• Strong leadership style: He was not shy about asserting authority, but critics saw risks of overcentralization.

• Narrative of self-made success: His rise from modest origins to corporate and political heights was part of his appeal.

Yet, that same style sometimes alienated critics who argued for greater checks, transparency, or grassroots inclusion.

Notable Quotes & Reflections

While Lee is less remembered for pithy aphorisms and more for his policies and decisions, some of his public statements reflect his vision and character:

• On ambition and progress:

  “We must move from the mindset of a recipient to that of a contributor.”
  (often cited in Korean media during his presidency)

• On national growth:

  “We must make Korea a nation that can lead by example, not simply follow.”

• On global diplomacy:

  “Korea must not only react, but proactively shape the regional order.”

Because his public statements frequently occurred in Korean and in policy contexts, translations and attributions may vary.

Lessons from Lee Myung-bak’s Life

1. Business experience can be both advantage and liability
   Lee’s corporate credentials gave him management credibility, but also exposed him to conflicts of interest and questions about private-public boundaries.

2. Vision must balance ambition with realism
   Bold projects like the Grand Waterway captured imagination—but their feasibility, environmental impacts, and cost risks must be tempered by oversight.

3. Accountability endures beyond office
   Even presidents face long memories and legal scrutiny. Pardons may alter legal status, but historical judgment persists.

4. Leadership style matters
   A decisive, top-down approach can drive fast change—but can also undermine inclusion, collaboration, and legitimacy.

5. Legacy is never monolithic
   Leaders should expect their legacy to be contested—some will emphasize successes, others will foreground failures and ethics.

Conclusion

Lee Myung-bak’s life is a dramatic narrative: a modest youth, meteoric rise in business, bold leadership as mayor and president, and ultimately legal downfall. He encapsulates both the promise and peril of technocratic leadership in modern democracy—especially in a nation as dynamic and contested as South Korea.