Editing History of South Korea (section)

===Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013===
{{Main|Lee Myung-bak}}
[[File:Lee Myung-bak presidential portrait.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Lee Myung-bak]], President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013]]
Roh's successor, [[Lee Myung-bak]], was inaugurated in February 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea's New President Sworn In – DW – 02/25/2008 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/south-koreas-new-president-sworn-in/a-5213894 |work=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Stating "creative pragmatism" as a guiding principle, Lee's administration set out to revitalize the flagging economy, re-energize diplomatic ties, stabilize social welfare, and meet the challenges of globalization.<ref name="mb nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/world/asia/25iht-korea.1.10364479.html Lee Myung-bak takes over as South Korean president], The New York Times, 25 February 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=839784 Administration of Lee Myung-bak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304105316/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=839784 |date=4 March 2021 }} at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref> In April 2008, the ruling party secured a majority in the National Assembly elections.<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0002039927 4.9 election results], Yonhap News, 10 April 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> Also that month, summit talks with the United States addressed the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and helped ease tensions between the two countries caused by the previous administrations. Lee agreed to lift the ban on US beef imports, which caused [[2008 US beef protest in South Korea|massive protests and demonstrations]] in the months that followed, as paranoia of potential [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|mad cow disease]] gripped the country.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7457087.stm South Korea beef protests], BBC News, 25 June 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref>

Many issues plagued the government, starting from the [[2008 Namdaemun fire|arson of the Namdaemun gates]], in which the government was accused of not providing adequate security. Further controversies arose over the years regarding the appointment of high-ranking government officials, rampant political conflicts, accusations of oppression of media, and strained diplomatic relationships with North Korea and Japan.<ref>[http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/346509.html Lee Myung-bak administration presses against freedom of press], The Hankyoreh, 27 March 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The global recession affected the economy as the worst economic crisis since 1997 hit the country.<ref>{{in lang|ko}}  [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002410353 2008 politics #1], Yonhap News, 15 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The Lee administration tackled these issues by actively issuing statements, reshuffling the cabinet, and implementing administrative and industrial reforms.<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002410354 2008 politics #2], Yonhap News, 15 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref>

The economy bounced back after regulatory and economic reforms, with the country's economy marking growth and recovering from the global recession.<ref>[http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2009012028358 Lee Administration Reshuffles Economic Team], Donga Ilbo, 20 January 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2010; [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923209 Government claims deregulation progress], Joongang Daily, 2010-7-15.</ref><ref>[http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100495&code=Ne4&category=3 Lee Myung-bak Administration's Economic Progress Over the Past 2 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807191501/http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100495&code=Ne4&category=3 |date=7 August 2020 }}, Arirang, 23 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_commentary_detail.htm?No=17753 President Lee Myung-bak's performance during the past two years and challenges facing his administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130014304/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_commentary_detail.htm?No=17753 |date=30 November 2010 }}, KBS World, 25 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100711173809/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-09/korea-raises-rates-as-asia-leads-recovery-won-gains.html Korea Raises Rates as Asia Leads Recovery], Bloomberg Business Week, 9 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010</ref> The administration also pursued improved diplomatic relations by holding summit talks with the United States, China, and Japan and participating in the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit to strengthen ties with other Asian countries.<ref>[http://news.mofat.go.kr/enewspaper/articleview.php?master=&aid=2674&ssid=23&mvid=765 Diplomatic Achievements in the First Two Years of the Lee Myung-bak Administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118064724/http://news.mofat.go.kr/enewspaper/articleview.php?master=&aid=2674&ssid=23&mvid=765 |date=18 January 2018 }}, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 26 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The [[2010 G20 Seoul summit|2010 G20 summit]] was held in Seoul, where issues regarding the global economic crisis were discussed.<ref>[http://seoulsummit.kr/eng/main.g20?menu_seq=main 2010 G20 Seoul Summit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725001227/http://seoulsummit.kr/eng/main.g20?menu_seq=main |date=25 July 2010 }}, Official Site</ref>

In October 2020, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a 17-year prison sentence for former president Lee Myung-bak because of taking bribes before and during his presidency.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=South Korea's Supreme Court Upholds 17-Year Jail Term for Ex-President Lee |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/south-koreas-supreme-court-upholds-17-year-jail-term-for-ex-president-lee/ |work=thediplomat.com}}</ref>