Lee Receives Rotary Intl Award
By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak was presented with Rotary International's highest award for his ``years of contributions to the development of Korea and the world,'' Friday
Lee is the third South Korean to receive the Rotary International Award of Honor. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and former President Kim Young-sam are previous awardees, according to the presidential office.
President Lee joined the voluntary non-profit organization in 1994.
The award ceremony took place at Cheong Wa Dae and Lee Dong-kurn, president of Rotary International, presented the award.
The office said in a press release that President Lee received the award for his successful achievement in transforming Seoul into an environmentally friendly city and his devotion as head of state to the development of his country and prosperity of the world amid the global economic crisis.
Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher have also received the honor.