President Lee Myung-bak met with Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum this afternoon at Cheong Wa Dae.

At the meeting, President Lee gave high marks to the World Economic Forum’s great contributions to helping resolve global economic problems by providing an annual meeting in Davos and other regional forums to discuss key pending issues facing the world. As a global opinion leader, the World Economic Forum has engaged many important international figures in its forums to address various global issues, including climate change. The Korean President listened to the valuable advice of Executive Chairman Schwab, who has prominent insights into the world economy and global issues.

Atthe same time, President Lee appointed him as one of his Global Advisors. The Presidential advisory group was launched with the aim of seeking advice concerning future visions and national strategies from world-renowned scholars, former heads of advanced countries and global business leaders. Currently, Chairman Bill Gate of Microsoft Corporation and Guy Sorman, former professor of economics at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences are working as global advisors.

Chairman Schwab promised to do his best to give policy advice on global issues and the world economy. In the meantime, he proposed that President Lee participate in the Davos Forum 2009 and asked for the Korean Government’s support and cooperation for the success of the World Economic Forum on East Asia.

President Lee remarked, “Energy, food, security and water resources are essential themes that deserve discussion. The Korean Government will do its utmost to ensure the success of the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Seoul next year.”