ID :
34441
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 20:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/34441
The shortlink copeid
Lee under fire for delayed property donation By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak is drawing fire for failing to make good on his property donation promise made exactly one year ago on the eve of the presidential election.
On Dec. 7, 2007, Lee, then the front-running ruling party presidential candidate,
unexpectedly announced a pledge to donate his entire personal wealth of over 30
billion won (US$20.7 million), excluding a retirement house in southern Seoul, to
the public.
At the time of the surprise announcement, Lee was dogged by accusations of stock
market fraud and ethical problems, with the presidential polls less than two
weeks away. Apparently thanks to the touching announcement and the voters' wish
for economic recovery, Lee won the Dec. 19 election in a landslide victory.
On Sunday, exactly one year has passed since Lee made the asset donation promise.
But his promise still remains unfulfilled.
Lee reported in April that he and his wife, Kim Yoon-ok, were worth about 35.47
billion won, including a 3.1 billion won residence in southern Seoul.
Over the past year, Lee and the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae have
consistently said the promise of property donation will be carried out without
fail, though they have failed to elaborate on the timing and method of the
donation.
A top presidential secretary again told reporters on Sunday, "The president is
still listening to opinions from various circles on the most efficient method of
his wealth donation. Please wait a little longer."
Another official at Cheong Wa Dae said internal discussions are still underway.
"The first visible move is setting up an independent committee to be in charge of
the donation process. In the next stage, the establishment of public or
scholarship foundations will be considered," said the official on condition of
anonymity.
Amid the protracted delay, netizens are increasingly critical of the president's
failure to keep his word.
"Why has President Lee not kept his promise thus far? As president, he should
never fail to make good on his own promise," a netizen said in a post on the
portal site Naver.
Another netizen insisted there is no reason for the president to drag his feet,
saying he can instantly distribute his money to orphanages and nursing homes
nationwide instead of spending time setting up welfare foundations.
Despite the controversy over his wealth donation, meanwhile, Lee is already known
for having donated his entire presidential salary to the children of street
cleaners and other underprivileged people. While serving as Seoul mayor from
2002-2006, Lee had also donated his salary to the children of sanitation workers
and firefighters.
The president, formerly CEO of Hyundai Group's construction business, has vowed
to spend all of his paycheck earned as a public official on public welfare.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
On Dec. 7, 2007, Lee, then the front-running ruling party presidential candidate,
unexpectedly announced a pledge to donate his entire personal wealth of over 30
billion won (US$20.7 million), excluding a retirement house in southern Seoul, to
the public.
At the time of the surprise announcement, Lee was dogged by accusations of stock
market fraud and ethical problems, with the presidential polls less than two
weeks away. Apparently thanks to the touching announcement and the voters' wish
for economic recovery, Lee won the Dec. 19 election in a landslide victory.
On Sunday, exactly one year has passed since Lee made the asset donation promise.
But his promise still remains unfulfilled.
Lee reported in April that he and his wife, Kim Yoon-ok, were worth about 35.47
billion won, including a 3.1 billion won residence in southern Seoul.
Over the past year, Lee and the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae have
consistently said the promise of property donation will be carried out without
fail, though they have failed to elaborate on the timing and method of the
donation.
A top presidential secretary again told reporters on Sunday, "The president is
still listening to opinions from various circles on the most efficient method of
his wealth donation. Please wait a little longer."
Another official at Cheong Wa Dae said internal discussions are still underway.
"The first visible move is setting up an independent committee to be in charge of
the donation process. In the next stage, the establishment of public or
scholarship foundations will be considered," said the official on condition of
anonymity.
Amid the protracted delay, netizens are increasingly critical of the president's
failure to keep his word.
"Why has President Lee not kept his promise thus far? As president, he should
never fail to make good on his own promise," a netizen said in a post on the
portal site Naver.
Another netizen insisted there is no reason for the president to drag his feet,
saying he can instantly distribute his money to orphanages and nursing homes
nationwide instead of spending time setting up welfare foundations.
Despite the controversy over his wealth donation, meanwhile, Lee is already known
for having donated his entire presidential salary to the children of street
cleaners and other underprivileged people. While serving as Seoul mayor from
2002-2006, Lee had also donated his salary to the children of sanitation workers
and firefighters.
The president, formerly CEO of Hyundai Group's construction business, has vowed
to spend all of his paycheck earned as a public official on public welfare.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
