Lee Myung-bak presidency: conservative governance and foreign policy (2008–2013)

1. Lee Myung-bak sworn in as president

   Feb 25, 2008Labels: Lee Myung-bak, South Korea, Presidency

   • Lee MB
   • Lee Cabinet

2. Candlelight protests erupt over U.S. beef imports

   May 24, 2008Labels: Candlelight Protests, US beef, Public demonstrations

   • NYT Beef
   • Guardian
   • Beef Protests

3. Lee announces “low-carbon, green growth” vision

   Aug 15, 2008Labels: Low-Carbon Green, Lee Myung-bak, Economic policy

   • Korea Times

4. Korea–U.S. $30 billion currency swap signed

   Oct 30, 2008Labels: Korea US, Federal Reserve, Financial crisis

   • Korea Times

5. “Green New Deal” launches Four Rivers project

   Jan 1, 2009Labels: Green New, Four Rivers, Infrastructure

   • Four Rivers

6. Cheonan warship sinks near disputed waters

   Mar 26, 2010Labels: ROKS Cheonan, Naval sinking, Baengnyeong Island

   • Cheonan
   • BBC

7. South Korea announces “May 24 measures” sanctions

   May 24, 2010Labels: May 24, Sanctions, Inter-Korean policy

   • May 24

8. Seoul hosts 2010 G20 leaders’ summit

   Nov 11, 2010Labels: G20 Seoul, South Korea, Global governance

   • G20 Seoul

9. North Korea shells Yeonpyeong Island

   Nov 23, 2010Labels: Yeonpyeong Shelling, North Korea, Maritime clash

   • Yeonpyeong
   • DW

10. Four Rivers Restoration Project declared complete

    Oct 21, 2011Labels: Four Rivers, Completion, Infrastructure

    • Four Rivers

11. Kim Jong-il’s death triggers emergency posture in Seoul

    Dec 19, 2011Labels: Kim Jong-il, North Korea, Seoul emergency

    • VOA
    • JoongAng

12. KORUS FTA enters into force

    Mar 15, 2012Labels: KORUS FTA, US Korea, Trade agreement

    • USTR
    • USTR Release

13. Seoul hosts Nuclear Security Summit

    Mar 26, 2012Labels: Nuclear Security, Seoul Summit, Global security

    • NSS 2012
    • Arms Control

14. Lee visits Dokdo/Takeshima islets, straining Japan ties

    Aug 10, 2012Labels: Dokdo Takeshima, Territorial dispute, Japan Korea

    • JoongAng
    • Al Jazeera

15. Park Geun-hye inaugurated, ending Lee administration

    Feb 25, 2013Labels: Park Geun-hye, Inauguration, Presidential transition

    • Park Bio
    • CSIS