First Korean to be Elected Head of Worldwide NGO This month’s “Yonseian Standing Proud in the World” is Lee Dong-kurn, President-Elect of Rotary International, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious of non-government organizations with 1.21 million members registered to 32 thousand Rotary clubs in 203 countries, and the following is a summary of our interview with him. Rotary International Names Lee the New President for 2008-09 On September 11, 2006, Lee Dong-kurn, chairman of textile and kitchen appliance maker Bubang Co., was nominated President for 2008-09 by the selection committee of Rotary International and confirmed unanimously on December 1, after a waiting period in which he went unchallenged. “That I am the first Korean to be selected President of Rotary International is not only a personal honor but also a reflection of how leaders of Rotary clubs worldwide have come to accept Korea’s place in the world,” said President-Elect Lee, Class of 1957 Alumnus of the Department of Politic Science and International Studies at Yonsei University.* The Rise of Korea in Global NGO Movements “Korea was once a beneficiary of Rotary’s international aid programs, and now it has become a Rotary stronghold. We have transformed ourselves from beneficiaries to benefactors. Korea donates 8 million dollars and has become the 3rd largest contributor to Rotary International. In addition, Rotary International Korea boasts the 4th largest membership in the world, with about 50 thousand Rotarians in 17 districts,” said President-Elect Lee. Perhaps this may go far in explaining Lee’s phenomenal rise to the Presidency, but an equal contributing factor is Lee’s own leadership. During his tenure as head of Korea Rotary District 3650 in 1996, he received the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service, in recognition of his achievements in increasing Rotary membership in his district. Although he will be serving as President of Rotary International between July 2008 and June 2009, Lee is already busily taking part in the organization’s key community service projects that address global issues such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy and violence. This is because Rotary International requires Presidents-Elect Wilf Wilkinson (2007-08) and Lee Dong-kurn (2008-09) to work closely with the current President William Boyd and thus to ensure continuity in policy. Advice to Yonsei University and Yonsei Students Lee pointed out that Yonsei University should award more credit to students who actively participate in social work, and force, if need be, students who are apathetic to social work to do community service: “Once they get started in social work, they will begin to realize how good it feels.” Lee also gave some practical advice for Yonsei students: “Become proficient in at least one foreign language, for it will be your launching pad to the world. Develop good reading habits and learn as much as you can from books. And, finally, become leaders who care for those around you.” *N.B. Korea identifies classes by year of matriculation rather than by year of graduation.