The President (right) and president of Rotary International Lee Dong-kurn (left)

President Lee Myung-bak on Friday (May 22) was awarded the Rotary International Award of Honor for his contribution to the country and the world. The International Rotary Club is a global association dedicated to humanitarian service made up of 32,000 clubs around the world and over 1.2 million members.

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae announced that the president had received the award in recognition of his contribution to the country, including his transforming Seoul into an environment-friendly city and also for his efforts for the prosperity of the world amid the global financial crisis.

The Rotary International Award is given to a head of state or other top government officials who made notable contributions to world peace and stability. Only about four to five figures are selected a year.

Other previous recipients of the award around the world include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Pope Benedict XVI, former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and two former Presidents of the United States George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

In Korea, President Lee is the fourth to receive the honor, following former President Kim Young-sam, honorary chairman of the Korea Management Association Song In-sang and present UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

After the awards ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae, the president held talks with visiting representatives of the Rotary Club, including president of Rotary International Lee Dong-kurn, appointed to the position last year, the first time for a Korean.