[caption id="attachment_2149" align="alignright" width="225" caption="South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak speaks after receiving his honorary degree. Photo Credit: Jesse Regis"]
[/caption]Gowned faculty members adorned the stage between an American and South Korean flag in a brief ceremony. Members of the presidential delegation, Korean embassy officials, press, and security forces greatly outnumbered the few students that attended the event. James Person, a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of History did give a short greeting.
A visiting International Business fellow in 1999, President Myung-Bak said he was now a "true George," in reference to the university's founder. He spoke fondly of "walking along Kogan plaza and thinking about where Korea should go."
In an effort to be personable, Myung-Bak emphasized Korean things familiar with Americans including the 2002 World Cup in Seoul, and the dominance of Korean athletes in the LPGA Women's Golf Tour. He often referenced the Korean War, a battle fought six decades ago, but again thanked the sacrifice of the Americans who fought there.
In reference to American involvement in the Korean War he said, "When we say thank you, we really mean it."
The event wasn't without self-promotion. Myung-Bak pointed to having the 13th largest world economy, G20 status, and a rising gross domestic product.
In regard to current world events he offered a hand in fighting Global Warming saying, it is "not a choice, but a necessity" and that there is "no leader in Green Growth" but that countries must stand "shoulder to shoulder to work to solve it."
On North Korea he said they had chosen to "engage in rebellious activities" and that "under no circumstances will we allow nuclear weapons [in North Korea]."
The event earned international press attention undoubtedly placing GW on the list of potential South Korean students, many of whom look fondly on GW for educating Syngman Rhee, the first President of South Korea, and Song Yo Chan, a former Prime Minister of the country. Philip Jaisohn was the first Korean to get a medical degree from the United States at GW
[caption id="attachment_2152" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="President Myung-Bak is greeted with flowers at a reception following the event. Photo Credit: Jesse Regis"]
[/caption]Recruitment potential, and alumni support is a possible explanation for Knapp mentioning the 250 Korean students currently enrolled at GW and the 800 alumni in Korea, the highest concentration of alumni outside of the United States.
The event is among many that has brought GW and South Korea together. GW President Steven Knapp traveled to Korea for Myung-Bak's inauguration in February 2008. Former GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg has earned honorary degrees from South Korean universities.
The ceremony comes a day after Myung-Bak met with President Obama at the White House. Both leaders discussed the potential impacts of a nuclear armed North Korea.
- Jesse Regis
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