Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Lee Myung-bak

Role / Field:

South Korean politician who served as the tenth President of South Korea (2008-2013).

Born:

1941-12-19

Century / Era:

1941s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Lee Myung-bak (pronounced /ˌmjʌŋ ˈbɑːk/; Korean: 이명박; pronounced [i.mjʌŋ.bak̚]; born 19 December 1941) is a South Korean politician and business executive who served as the tenth president of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. A member of the then Saenuri Party, he was the mayor of Seoul from 2002 to 2006. Before entering politics, he was the chief executive officer of Hyundai Engineering and Construction. Born in Osaka during the Empire of Japan, Lee graduated from Korea University.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother, Lee Sang-deuk, was a South Korean politician. He is a Christian attending Somang Presbyterian Church. In 2011, Lee received an honorary degree from Paris Diderot University. 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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Under Lee, South Korea increased its visibility and influence in the global scene, resulting in the hosting of the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit. However, significant controversy remains in Korea regarding high-profile government initiatives...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Kuper — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• Alan Mullery — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iconic English footballer and manager known for his time at Fulham and Spurs.
• Al-Ghazali — Shared historical date (12-19 · Died) (1111): Influential Sunni polymath, theologian, and mystic of the 11th century.
• Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah — Shared historical date (12-19 · Died) (975): Fourth Fatimid Caliph who founded Cairo and moved the dynasty's center to Egypt.
• Aldrich Ames — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): American CIA analyst and notorious Soviet spy convicted of espionage.
• Alex Ferguson — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Legendary Scottish football manager, most famous for his unparalleled success with Manchester United.
• Alain Robbe-Grillet — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Pioneering French writer and filmmaker associated with the Nouveau Roman movement.
• Albert Hofmann — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Swiss chemist renowned for synthesizing LSD and pioneering psychedelic research.
• Aaron Swartz — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• 1941 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1941
• December 19 (12-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 19

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Myung-bak