[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 780

[Garry Krischock]

 1.  1479: Rotarian becomes South Korea's new president 
Sat Mar 1, 2008 2:13 am (PST) 
Rotarian becomes South Korea's new president
By Susie Ma 

A Rotarian has risen to the top position in the South Korean government.

Myung-bak Lee, of the Rotary Club of Seoul Samchung, Seoul, won a 
landslide victory in December to become the country's 17th president. 
RI President-elect Dong Kurn Lee attended the inauguration 
festivities on 25 February. 

"We hope that the objective of Rotary to encourage and foster the 
ideal of service will help you administer the affairs of the nation," 
the RI president-elect said in a video message shown at a District 
3650 celebration in January. More than 700 Rotarians attended the 
event, which was held in the new president's honor.

The president responded: "I am most appreciative for what the Rotary 
Club of Seoul Samchung and fellow Rotarians did. I will make an 
effort to reflect honor upon Rotary."

Lee became involved with Rotary in 1994, after expressing an interest 
in charity work to his friend and colleague Woo Joo Chang, a member 
of the Rotary Club of Hanyang. From 1995 to 1996, Lee served as 
charter president of the Seoul Samchung club. 

"The club set a good example of Service Above Self by working with 
orphanages, showing concern for the elderly, and offering 
scholarships to college students," said Chang. He added that Lee has 
been "a model Rotarian," attending as many club meetings as possible, 
even while serving as mayor of Seoul from 2002 to 2006.

Though Lee will be unable to remain involved in Rotary activities 
because of his busy schedule, Chang says Rotarians are excited about 
his presidency. 

Several other South Korean Rotarians have served as high-level 
officials, including former prime ministers Chung Yul Kim, Duck Woo 
Nam, Choong Hoon Park, and Chang Soon Yoo, all members of the Hanyang 
club.

Lee also joins the ranks of Rotarians around the world who have led 
their countries, including Foreign Minister Bhichai Rattakul of 
Thailand, Prime Minister Antoine Pinay of France, Foreign Minister 
Jan Masaryk of Czechoslovakia, and President Warren G. Harding of the 
United States.

Source: Rotary International News
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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