South korean government under the former ceo, president lee myung-bak

Abstract

After a promising start with his landslide victory in December 2007, President Lee Myung-bak carried a mandate for sweeping economic reforms, but he had to overcome several important troubles. In August 2008 significant demonstrations took regarding American beef imports scheduled under the pending US-ROK Free Trade Agreement, his ambitious building projects, opposition to his privatizing agenda and somehow authoritarian style. His record in foreign policy is remarkable as it supposes a departure from his predecessor´s priorities: reinforcing the alliance with the US, seeking to restore good relations with Japan, being more forthcoming in his energy security diplomacy towards Russia, upgrading his partnership with China and taking a firmer stance on North Korea. But still Lee Myung-bak has to succeed in the new challenge stemming from the global economic crisis and to restore the national economic health.