From rags to rule. His Excellency, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea recounted his life story of hardship and hard work to the keen audience. Photo by Ean L. Dacay

DESPITE TIGHT security measures and the formality of the event, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held a very personal town hall meeting last November 21 in Escaler Hall, imparting his own beliefs and experiences to Ateneans while interacting and joking with them.

Lee arrived in the Philippines last November 20 for a three-day state visit upon the invitation of President Noynoy Aquino, in order to discuss the increasing bilateral relations of the two countries.

“When I met President Aquino, and told him I was visiting his alma mater, he seemed happy and pleased,” Lee said. “I decided to [give this talk] because in my world trips this November, I only saw the insides of convention centers and hotels and not the youth.”

Speaking before an audience that included administrators, faculty, Korean delegates and students, including those from the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health and the Ateneo Law School, Lee shared his experiences as a poor working student who earned his way up through hard work, failures and belief in himself.

Power of the youth

As the world evolves at a rapid phase, many of the youth still remain hopeful about the future, but at the same time, they are bogged down with worries.

“One universal fear of the youth is, after he graduates, will he be able to do what he wants or have a job to secure a good future, especially today when youth unemployment is high?” he asked.

But Lee argued that history was made by those who kept their ideas and believed in their self-worth.

He also emphasized that being young is a worthwhile experience. “It is something to be cherished. It allows you to fail but gives you the health, God-given talents and time to make up for it, so never give up,” he said.

According to Lee, students have the capacity to enact change if they dare to dream.

Coming from a poor family, Lee said he had a “very small dream” which he had difficulty achieving. He was a working student in college and had to collect garbage to pay tuition. “I had to earn a living. My dream was to have a job no matter the pay.”

Lee later became an employee of Hyundai construction, and at 35, he became Korea’s youngest CEO. During his term as such, Hyundai became one of the world’s top automobile makers and shipbuilders.

Honored presence. President Lee Myung-bak graces the Ateneo community with his presence sharing some of his personal history on persevering diligently. Photo by Christella D. Soriano

For the environment

One of Lee’s main concerns is the protection of the environment, a cause he advocated when he was still mayor of Seoul, after his 27-year career in Hyundai. As mayor, he successfully restored the Cheonggyecheon stream, which used to be as polluted as the Philippines’ own Pasig River.

Lee also pushed for the law on Green Growth, providing a road map for tackling climate change and preserving the environment. His efforts earned him the “Hero of the Environment” title in an issue of Time, back in 2007.

Giving back

As president, Lee plans to make South Korea a more mature and advanced nation through securing fair opportunities for its citizens, regardless of their social status.

He said that 60 years ago, South Korea was one of the poorest countries, having been ravaged by war. However, with the help of other countries, the nation eventually got back on its feet. “Now it’s our turn to give back to our friends and help them like they helped us.”

Lee told the students that they should also give back and carry out their responsibility to contribute to the country.

“The Philippines has abundant human and natural resources, and if used properly, the country will flourish in time,” he said.

Inspiration

“It was a great honor for the president to grace us with his responses, and I appreciate his sincere and personal visit,” said Edward Go, chairman of the university’s board of trustees. With Lee’s visit, Go confirmed that the Korean Studies Program would be established in the university.

For Korean students Song Lee Kim and Minji Park, meeting the president was not something they would have experienced back in Korea.

“Meeting my own president was a very overwhelming experience and it was an honor to meet him,” Kim said.