ID :
35632
Mon, 12/15/2008 - 15:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35632
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Lee says still determined to donate personal wealth
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that he still is
committed to donating almost all of his personal wealth to society in a gesture
to encourage the underprivileged people to try to overcome the deepening economic
difficulties.
In his biweekly radio address, Lee also said he will continue to donate all of
his presidential salary to low-income households for the rest of his five-year
term which ends in early 2013. He donated all of his salary to low-income people
while serving as mayor of Seoul in 2002-2006.
Just before the 2007 presidential election when he was dogged by allegations of
financial wrongdoing, Lee declared that if he wins the voting, he will donate all
of his personal wealth, estimated at over 30 billion won (US$20.7 million),
excluding a retirement house, to the public.
Apparently mindful of growing public criticism over his failure to keep his
campaign pledge to donate his personal wealth a year after it was made, Lee said
Monday he is still mulling over what would be the best way to fulfill the pledge.
"Personally, I have donated my paychecks earned as president and Seoul mayor
(2002-2006) to the underprivileged people. I also have the same attitude towards
my personal property," Lee said.
"Despite the unprecedented economic crisis, donations to charities and distressed
families have been on the rise in this nation. I feel really grateful to that,"
he said.
Lee said he will be able to announce specific ways to donate his wealth "in the
not too distant future."
In the speech, Lee also stressed the importance of "love with a family,"
exhorting the public to reflect on the value of family in times of economic
hardships.
"Encouragement from within the family is most needed at this point. Family is the
last stronghold we can turn to in the face of these economic difficulties," he
said. "Husbands and fathers will surely recover from their loss of employment, if
encouraged by their families."
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that he still is
committed to donating almost all of his personal wealth to society in a gesture
to encourage the underprivileged people to try to overcome the deepening economic
difficulties.
In his biweekly radio address, Lee also said he will continue to donate all of
his presidential salary to low-income households for the rest of his five-year
term which ends in early 2013. He donated all of his salary to low-income people
while serving as mayor of Seoul in 2002-2006.
Just before the 2007 presidential election when he was dogged by allegations of
financial wrongdoing, Lee declared that if he wins the voting, he will donate all
of his personal wealth, estimated at over 30 billion won (US$20.7 million),
excluding a retirement house, to the public.
Apparently mindful of growing public criticism over his failure to keep his
campaign pledge to donate his personal wealth a year after it was made, Lee said
Monday he is still mulling over what would be the best way to fulfill the pledge.
"Personally, I have donated my paychecks earned as president and Seoul mayor
(2002-2006) to the underprivileged people. I also have the same attitude towards
my personal property," Lee said.
"Despite the unprecedented economic crisis, donations to charities and distressed
families have been on the rise in this nation. I feel really grateful to that,"
he said.
Lee said he will be able to announce specific ways to donate his wealth "in the
not too distant future."
In the speech, Lee also stressed the importance of "love with a family,"
exhorting the public to reflect on the value of family in times of economic
hardships.
"Encouragement from within the family is most needed at this point. Family is the
last stronghold we can turn to in the face of these economic difficulties," he
said. "Husbands and fathers will surely recover from their loss of employment, if
encouraged by their families."
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
