Lee Myung-bak

Lee Myung-bak () ; born 19 December 1941) was President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013. After leaving office, he was accused of corruption and bribery. He was found guilty of accepting bribes and abusing his power.

Lee was born on December 19, 1941 in Japan. After the end of World War II in 1945, his family came back to his father's hometown Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Lee went to night school at Dongji Commercial High School.

On March 26, 2010 an explosion destroyed the South Korean warship Cheonan. This killed 40 men. Six men also disappeared. They are thought to be dead. An investigation into the sinking blamed North Korea. They said that a torpedo fired by a North Korean submarine had sunk the ship. North Korea said it had nothing to do with the Cheonan's sinking. They said they were not guilty. Lee said their denial was "laughable". He stopped all trade between the north and south. He also asked the United Nations to help them against North Korea. He also began sending radio messages to North Korean people.

Lee is a Christian and goes to the Somang Presbyterian church. When he was a mayor, he once declared that Seoul was a "holy place governed by God". He has been much criticized for his beliefs. Buddhist people protested that Lee was a threat to their religion.

Lee has also been criticized for not giving enough political freedom to the people. For example, the police limited demonstrations. But Lee said, "I fully understand the protestors' point of view on the matter". He added, "Protesting culture has a deep root in democracy of Korea and despite the ongoing political upheaval of this country, the enthusiasm that the protesters showed is one  embrace (approve) and this  a positive (good) drive of Korea's development."

After leaving office, Lee was arrested in March 2018. He was charged with taking bribes and abusing his power. In 29 October 2020, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a 17-year prison sentence for Lee. On 27 December 2022, President Yoon Suk Yeol granted Lee a special pardon.

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Category:1941 births
Category:Living people
Category:Presidents of South Korea
Category:Mayors of Seoul
Category:People from Osaka