Asset Donation

Lee Myung-bak Should Keep His Pledge Without Fail

Presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak of the opposition Grand National Party has said he will donate most of his personal property to society. ``I will present all my assets with the exception of the house where my wife and I live,'' he said. Though he stopped short of elaborating on how he would carry out the pledge, he will likely set up a public foundation mainly for charity purposes. Lee will be lauded should he actually offer his assets registered at 35.3 billion won ($38 million). He said he would do so regardless of the election result.

Lee appears to have come up with the decision in a bid to polish his image largely tarnished by the disclosure of a series of scandals including the so-called BBK stock price manipulation. Though the prosecution has cleared Lee of any suspicion, the case is likely to continue to haunt the frontrunner with the rival candidates poised to raise the issue continuously in the lead up to the Dec. 19 poll. Opponents have been claiming Lee mobilized improper methods in accumulating his wealth.

Lee's decision can be regarded as the expression of his determination that he will devote himself to the nation with the improved image of a clean and sacrificial leader. Possessing a lot of money cannot in itself be a target of criticism. But people seem to have a somewhat negative view on the process of how Lee accumulated his wealth while being a business leader.

Unfortunately for Lee, however, a majority of people have negatively responded to his donation pledge, according to a poll conducted by YTN, a cable TV outlet, Monday. It showed that more than 50 percent of the respondents downplayed Lee's decision as an attempt to dilute criticism on his alleged lack of morality. They did, however, give high marks to Lee's platform ― particularly his economic policies. Many were skeptical on Lee's contribution plan, describing it as politically motivated to woo support just ahead of the election.

Some business groups have provided a tremendous amount of money to society in the wake of growing criticism over fraudulent dealings. But they failed to win public sympathy as such behavior was seen as an attempt to right their previous wrongdoings. In order for Lee to get the people's support with the contribution, any donation should be made in a very transparent manner without any strings attached. He is advised to come up with measures based on his sincerity toward the people and the nation, as the candidate most likely to become the next head of state.