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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
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