"This Country, Why Has It Become Like This?"... MB Sends 'Prison Letter' to University Junior

Handwritten Reply to Letter from Junior
"Country is Regrettable," Yet Urges "Truth Will Be Revealed"
Previously Sent Reply to Letter from High School Student

Former President Lee Myung-bak's handwritten reply sent to a junior at a university / Photo by Internet Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former President Lee Myung-bak, who is serving his sentence at Anyang Prison in Gyeonggi Province, has attracted attention after reportedly sending a 'prison letter' to a junior from university. The former president sent a handwritten reply to a letter from a netizen who graduated from Korea University. Serving time on charges of embezzlement and bribery, Lee expressed concern in his reply, saying, "It is regrettable how the country has come to this," while also urging, "The truth will surely be revealed."

On the 29th, a post titled "Received a reply from senior Lee Myung-bak" was uploaded on the Korea University alumni community 'Gopas.' The author, who identified himself as a plastic surgeon, explained that Lee had sent a reply to a letter he had previously sent.

The author wrote that he had sent a letter to Lee saying, "I am an ordinary family man who graduated from Korea University in the class of '02 and completed medical school," and added, "In recent years, as I have grown older, gotten married, worked, and raised children, politics has had a huge impact on my daily life. When I looked into it a bit, I found that when I comment online, older people call me 'teulttak' (a derogatory term for the elderly), and I am accused of being an 'Ilbe-chung' (a derogatory term for users of a far-right online community) even though I have never accessed it."

He continued, "Those without notable achievements are creating large statues and memorial halls like the wealthy in the North, engaging in embarrassing glorification and distortion," but insisted, "Now many people have come to know about your true achievements, senior."

A netizen who graduated from Korea University sent a letter to the former president / Photo by Internet Community Capture

He added, "'Only after the flowers have fallen did I realize it was spring,' 'We miss you, Your Excellency,' and other phrases have become popular in posts related to you, senior," and said, "Even people who don't know much now enjoy delicious American beef at affordable prices, take buses made convenient by the central lane system, and transfer to subways during their commutes."

In response to this letter, the former president wrote a reply in his own handwriting. In the letter revealed by the author, Lee said, "I think everything is due to my own shortcomings, but the truth will surely be revealed," and added, "Above all, it is regrettable how this country has come to be."

He continued, "We are witnessing with our own eyes that it takes time to build up, but it only takes a moment to tear down," and added, "When the time comes that I can do something, I would like to visit that place (your hospital)."

This is not the first time the former president has sent replies to letters from supporters and alumni. Earlier in March, he also wrote a handwritten reply to a letter sent by a high school student.

In that letter, Lee wrote, "I was unexpectedly pleased to receive your letter and grateful for your words of encouragement," and said, "I have many shortcomings, but I believe I have lived honestly and diligently all my life. Someday, we will meet with bright smiles."

It is reported that the former president sends handwritten replies to most of those who sent him letters. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

At the time, controversy arose over the authenticity of this letter, which was posted on online communities. Regarding this, Lee's side said in a media interview, "The former president sends replies to most letters he receives from supporters."

Meanwhile, last October, Lee Myung-bak was sentenced to 17 years in prison for embezzling company funds and receiving large bribes.

At that time, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Park Sang-ok) upheld the original sentence of 17 years in prison, a fine of 13 billion won, and a confiscation of 5.78 billion won for Lee's bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

Lee was tried on charges of embezzling about 34.9 billion won from the auto parts company DAS and receiving a total of 16.3 billion won in bribes, including about 11.9 billion won in litigation fees paid by Samsung Electronics on behalf of DAS. Lee was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in the first trial, but the amount of bribery recognized increased in the appellate trial, resulting in a 17-year sentence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.