The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWTati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage

  • 3

    China expresses 'strong dissatisfaction' over US shooting down balloon

  • 5

    Decoding success factors of NewJeans: How is it different?

  • 7

    VIDEOFilipina K-pop idol and K-drama actress react to stereotypes about the Philippines

  • 9

    'Hype Boy' by NewJeans reaches 200 mil. Spotify streams

  • 11

    9 fishermen, including 2 Vietnamese, missing in boat incident

  • 13

    Reclusive fashion icon Martin Margiela makes comeback as artist with eerie wonderland of human bodies

  • 15

    Search under way for 9 missing after fishing boat capsizes

  • 17

    FSC approves security token transactions in Korea

  • 19

    Conflict reignites over relocation of POSCO Holdings to Pohang

  • 2

    2-year work experience prerequisite lifted for foreign shipyard welders

  • 4

    Families of Itaewon victims on collision course with Seoul City

  • 6

    US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon with a single missile

  • 8

    President Yoon at odds with politician who helped him win election

  • 10

    Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 1,500

  • 12

    LG publishes Korea's first group-level net zero report

  • 14

    More than 2,000 foreign workers to be hired at Korean shipyards this month

  • 16

    VideoHow Koreans' favorite convenience store foods are made in factories

  • 18

    US literary agent reflects on personal journey to discover Korea in new book

  • 20

    BTS fails to win Grammy for 3rd consecutive year

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Tue, February 7, 2023 | 09:51
KU Head Talks About President Lee’s Makgeolli Leadership
Posted : 2010-01-20 18:46
Updated : 2010-01-20 18:46
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Name one person and one thing that are most associated with Korea University, a Seoul-based private school.

By Oh Young-jin, Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporters

Name one person and one thing that are most associated with Korea University, a Seoul-based private school.

The answers would most likely include President Lee Myung-bak, a 1965 graduate of its department of business administration, and "makgeolli," the traditional light-alcoholic, milky-white, ordinary-man's drink.

In the 1960s through the 1980s, makgeolli was the drink of choice among its students taking pride in the school's strong national roots. This was often compared with its archrival, Yonsei University, whose students drank pricier beers fitting the school's more refined image.

According to the school's current president, Lee Ki-su, an alumnus of the 1969 graduating class from its college of law, President Lee's leadership, by extension, is closely identified with the characteristics of makgeolli - down to earth, and up close and personal.

These characteristics strike a contrast with his more commonly-known nickname - bulldozer - dating back to his days as head of Hyundai Engineering and Construction, the mother of all Hyundai companies.

Of course, there is a popular dispute to this characterization with regard to the pro-business and development-oriented manifestations of President Lee's governing philosophy. Critics say that he ignores the little man, but supporters argue that he is trying to serve the nation's greater good, and helping the underprivileged is one of his top priorities. Throw in the close-knit nature of its alumni organization, however, a picture emerges shedding light on what Lee's leadership is all about, the school president said.

President Lee has gained support of over 50 percent thanks mostly to his stewardship in helping the country weather the global financial crisis, but the approval ratings are sliding over his push for changes to the administrative capital plan, the so-called "Sejong Project."

"Our alumni organization is inclusive," said the university president. "We consider not just graduates of the school but also their families as well as those involved with various courses and programs we offer as members of Korea University's extended family."

"Semper fidelis," Latin for always faithful, the motto of Marines around the world, is used to describe the closeness of the university's alumni. Of course, this esprit de corps is sometimes the envy of other schools and at other times is criticized for its exclusiveness.

"We are proud that we are the alma mater of the President but it does not mean we have a great benefit from it," said Lee, who has served two years of his four-year term.

When asked what he thought of the "Korea University Discount," he pointed out that the number of his school's graduates as senior presidential aides was lower now than during the previous administration led by the late President Roh Moo-hyun, although the ratio has recovered a bit as of late.

Still, he believes that President Lee fits three leadership qualities his school sets out for its students - to be future-oriented with a dream, globally aware with communication skills and someone who shares.

The Korea University president said that the university has since evolved from its days of makgeolli, as its evolution into a global college continues.

"We are planning to open a pilot plant by May 5, our 10th anniversary for a Korea University brand of makgeolli," the school president said.

Lee thinks that this experiment is part of the school's globalization effort that will be unique to his school, something that is Korean and meets global standards at the same time.

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
 
Top 10 Stories
1[VIDEO] Filipina K-pop idol and K-drama actress react to stereotypes about the Philippines VIDEOFilipina K-pop idol and K-drama actress react to stereotypes about the Philippines
2[Video] How Koreans' favorite convenience store foods are made in factories VideoHow Koreans' favorite convenience store foods are made in factories
3US literary agent reflects on personal journey to discover Korea in new book US literary agent reflects on personal journey to discover Korea in new book
4[INTERVIEW] Saudi Arabia seeks greater cooperation with Korea in NEOM INTERVIEWSaudi Arabia seeks greater cooperation with Korea in NEOM
5Debate heats up over chemical castration of more sex offenders Debate heats up over chemical castration of more sex offenders
6Why Galaxy Book3 draws more attention than S23 smartphones Why Galaxy Book3 draws more attention than S23 smartphones
7[ANALYSIS] New order prevails in global battery industry ANALYSISNew order prevails in global battery industry
8Opposition party's attempt to enact Korean version of IRA triggers concerns Opposition party's attempt to enact Korean version of IRA triggers concerns
9Dongwon aims to to acquire McDonald's Korea Dongwon aims to to acquire McDonald's Korea
10Renowned American economist to discuss China issues at Seoul webinar Renowned American economist to discuss China issues at Seoul webinar
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Tati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage INTERVIEWTati Gabrielle, actress of Korean, African-American descent, feels proud of her heritage
2Decoding success factors of NewJeans: How is it different? Decoding success factors of NewJeans: How is it different?
3Reclusive fashion icon Martin Margiela makes comeback as artist with eerie wonderland of human bodies Reclusive fashion icon Martin Margiela makes comeback as artist with eerie wonderland of human bodies
4The Boyz member Hyunjae apologizes for wearing hat with Rising Sun flag design The Boyz member Hyunjae apologizes for wearing hat with Rising Sun flag design
5SM in internal feud over founder's exit from producing SM in internal feud over founder's exit from producing
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group