Korean President Lee Myung-Bak plans to give up wealth
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SEOUL - SOUTH Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said on Monday he is still committed to giving away almost all his personal wealth, to encourage the underprivileged to overcome deepening economic difficulties.
Mr Lee, in his regular radio address, also said he will continue donating his entire monthly presidential salary of 14 million won (15,290 dollars) to low-income households for the rest of his five-year term.
The former business executive also gave all his salary to poor people when he was mayor of Seoul in 2002-2006.
During his election campaign last December, Mr Lee vowed to give away his personal fortune - except for a retirement home - to the needy.
The conservative was the richest among the 11 election candidates with assets of 33 billion won (S$35.8 million), according to government figures.
Following some newspaper commentaries questioning when he will keep his pledge, Mr Lee said on Monday he is still pondering the most suitable donation method.
He said he will be able to announce specific steps 'in the not too distant future'. Mr Lee added: 'Personally, I have donated my pay cheques earned as president and Seoul mayor to the underprivileged people. I also have the same attitude towards my personal property.'
He thanked fellow Koreans for increasing their donations to charities and distressed families despite the economic downturn.
Mr Lee, 66, experienced severe childhood poverty and worked part-time at manual jobs to put himself through school and university. -- AFP
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CHEH!!! I thought your best friend LKY wanna share his salary si bo...
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Our PM give his "increment" to charity and there is so much publicity ... WTF . . .
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Reading the thread title, for one moment thought that LKY wants to give up wealth and thought it is not possible. It is possible for other lees to give up wealth but not the Lees of Singapore (dictator, hopeless ah loong the son).
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haha i thought it was too early for april fool's
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Why some people so cynical?
Why?
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That's the title of the report .. me just cut and paste .. like you guys, I thought our Lee's was giving up wealth... sigh ... I now respect this President Lee more ... our Lee should learn a thing or two from him !!
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i guess i had the same initial thought as everyone else. old man lee wanting to share his wealth
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vote mi to be the PM lah.. i am only asking for 3 bowl of plain rice with luncheon meat per day nia...
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Originally posted by I-like-flings(m):
vote mi to be the PM lah.. i am only asking for 3 bowl of plain rice with luncheon meat per day nia...
with a girl to fuck ?
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...Mr Lee vowed to give away his personal fortune - except for a retirement home - to the needy.
This is misleading.
It's Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, not Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. -
This bring to the question, does a politician join politic for the sake of the people and country OR for the sake of big fat pay like our MIW is being paid ?