The President has just returned from his three-day visit to Singapore (Nov. 13-15), successfully wrapping up his final overseas trip for this year. By actively proposing viable alternatives to the global economic crisis at APEC, he managed to upgrade Korea''s image on the world stage. The President also declared a new diplomatic push in Asia to secure a new growth engine for the future.

Traveling around the world

President Lee went abroad 11 times this year to meet other heads of state and the representatives of Korean communities and business people in their regions. In all, he traveled to 16 nations, visiting some more than once such as the United States and Thailand. He logged 190 hours in flight, or eight days, covering 92,000 km. The distance is comparable to traveling around the world four times.

His overseas trips lasted one day to a week and averaged four days. Besides the G20, APEC and other international meetings, President Lee managed to fit in 38 summits. Foreign leaders included the heads of major powers around the peninsula -- the U.S., Japan, China and Russia -- and heads of smaller Asian and European countries that hold considerable potential for commercial and cultural exchanges.

Cheong Wa Dae officials refer to the trips as physical training since the president and his aides often return home late on Sunday but begin work as usual on Monday.

Embracing Asia, advancing globally

Last April at the second G20 Financial Summit in London, President Lee proposed abolishing trade protectionism and extending liquidity to emerging economies, playing an active role in proposing various alternatives to overcome the global economic crisis while working closely with the UK and Brazil.

The discussions prompted by Korea played a considerable part in obtaining an agreement at the G20 meeting, and Lee''s assertion that the world needs to coordinate macroeconomic policy to jointly overcome the crisis was incorporated into the final statement. Korea even won the right to host the next G20 Financial summit in 2010.

Meanwhile the President has also made efforts to widen the scope of Korea''s diplomacy; closely embracing outlying Asian countries. Asia''s potential is immense: The region makes up 52 percent of the world''s population, one fifth of its GDP ($10.7 trillion) and one fourth of its total trade volume,

One example of this Asian initiative is Korea forging a strategic partnership with Vietnam. The government hopes to conclude free trade agreements with every Asian nation and serve as a linchpin for regional FTAs.

President Lee is also known for enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy and low-carbon green growth. Lee''s work with Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and other countries marks important developments in the renewable energy sector. Korea''s low-carbon, green-growth policy was also promoted at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh and the extended G8 Summit in Italy. Measures against climate change and in support of food security were also actively addressed by President Lee in Italy this summer.

Additional focus was given to bilateral agreements on energy and resources. Last year, Korea''s self-development rate for petroleum and gas recorded 5.72 percent, going slightly over its initial goal of 5.7 percent. The government also expects little problem reaching this year''s goal of 7.4 percent. The President''s resolve to develop Korea''s energy independence is also reflected in his future goals: 9.1 percent self reliance for 2010, 13.9 percent in 2011 and 18.1 percent in 2012.

However, close relations with the U.S. remain vital. In Lee''s earlier meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, the two leaders agreed to maintain strong, cooperative ties to resolve North Korean issues, jointly overcome the global financial crisis and counter climate change, among others.

Refined diplomacy

President Lee''s diplomatic advances are often attributed to his past experience as a CEO. He appears quite casual engaging other leaders, whether at a dinner party or standing together at a podium for a press conference.

He has invited the president of Kazakhstan to a traditional sauna, asked the Australian prime minister over to his residence late at night and volunteered to personally guide the leaders of Cambodia and Uzbekistan around the country.

President Lee is also reputed to be thorough in preparing for summits, asking his aides a barrage of questions and even calling for rewrites while in flight. Pragmatism stands at the core of President Lee''s diplomacy. By tearing down unnecessary barriers and actively suggesting win-win measures, he seeks practical breakthroughs.