I am reading The Uncharted Path by Lee Myung-Bak, current President of South Korea. He was interviewed on NPR and the book is compelling. I'm only halfway through and already have no point of reference for the utter poverty and despair of his early life.
The crisis on our doorstep is going to test our grit. Our integrity and values are on the line. But there are a helluva lot more people elsewhere that exist in a life so low that the poorest of ours would seem to live in relative luxury by comparison. We are out of touch with how lucky we are.
Lee Myung-Bak lived an unimaginable hardship, making his rise to the Presidency an astonishing achievement. One would think it would be a source of inspiration and pride to his people to be led by such a driven, inspired man. One would think it would be an inspiration to us all. But the problem with writing a book is that people will read it. And when there are not only two sides to the story, but two completely different sides to the story, it is those differences that come center stage. Now I can't wait to finish the book and delve into his background to learn the truth.
Reviews of the book initially were good. But there is a groundswell of outrage for the lies told and positive spin put on his wheeling-dealing to snatch for himself the wealth and power he now holds. (This is an all-too familiar theme.)
My favorite critique so far, and the cleanest (which means I can share it) is by Hyon C. Lee (South Korea), entitled:You're seeing the face of the biggiest liar in the history of Korea
"I call this guy a biggiest liar lucky enough to become a present of South Korea. Truth?
"During college year, he was arrested during anti-government movement, then he got "prematurely" released of the service time and "mysteriousely" entered Hyundai without the mandatary military service and went up the ladder at an unprecedented speed that was never known in the hisotry of korean chaebol. He was gov't plotted/sponsored spy in college.
"During his tenure at Hyundae construction - the company went into bankrupcy. Yet he glorifies those times and lie about achievement.
"He became wealthy through illegal real estiate speculation.
"With this wealth, he became a congressmen but failed to finish the service term due to illegal political fund. His own right hand man at that time accused him for all the illegal/unethical doings he has committed.
"When sentenced down from the congressmen, he ran to US and established BBK security exchange company with another Korean American con man. The company's seed money are of course illegally funded by Lee through illegal means. The con man ran off with hundred of millions of dollars of investor's money and this case is still at trial in US. Yet he claims no association with the crime despite real video records and tons of other evidence exists.
"Those are a few examples of life path he has led. He became president with lies and continues to lie at his presidency. He will never stop lying so don't waste your time reading this book. Korean people are so eager to have him step down from the Office. It is a shame as a Korean, but if anything, he will be locked inside jail right next day his term ends."
Time will tell.
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