Profile Text
Place of Birth: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Date of Birth: 19 December, 1941
Ethnicity: Korean
Lee Myung-bak (이명박) is a South Korean businessperson and politician. He served as the 10th President of South Korea , from 25 February, 2008 to 25 February, 2013. He was also Mayor of Seoul, from 1 July, 2002 to 30 June, 2006; as well as, a Member of the National Assembly by proportional representation, from 30 May, 1992 to 29 May, 1996; and for Jongno (Seoul), from 30 May, 1996 to 21 February, 1998. He is also known as MB.
He was born in Osaka, to Korean parents, Chae Tae-won and Lee Chung-u, a farm labourer. His parents moved to Japan in 1929, nineteen years after Japan annexed Korea. After WWII in 1945, his family returned to Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, Korea, his father’s hometown. His sister and brother were killed during the bombardment of Pohang, in the Korean War. Another brother was businessperson and politician Lee Sang-deuk. President Lee is married to academic administrator Kim Yoon-ok, with whom he has four children.
President Lee’s paternal grandfather was Lee Jong-han (the son of Lee Kyu-soo and Lady Lee). Jong-han was born in Heunghae, Buk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang. Kyu-soo was the son of Lee Lim and Lady Park.
President Lee’s paternal grandmother was named Lady Kim.
Source: Genealogy of President Lee’s father (focusing on his own father’s side) – https://www.familysearch.org