Lee Tae-bok

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Lee Tae-bok was born on December 11, 1950, in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. He belonged to the Hansan Yi clan.

1.2. Education

He completed his early education at Cheonbuk Elementary School, Yesan Middle School, and Seongdong High School. He pursued higher education at Kookmin University, where he earned a Bachelor of Law degree. Furthering his academic pursuits, he obtained a Master's degree from Korea University's Graduate School of Labor. His dedication to social welfare was later recognized with an honorary doctorate in Social Welfare from Soonchunhyang University.

2.1. Student Activism and Military Service

In 1971, Lee Tae-bok was expelled from university due to his participation in a movement opposing military reforms within academia. Following his expulsion, he was forcibly conscripted into the military, serving in a front-line unit until his discharge as a sergeant.

2.2. Leadership in the Labor Movement

After his military service, Lee Tae-bok established Kwangmin Publishing in 1976, which specialized in publishing books related to the labor movement. Following the death of President Park Chung-hee, he played a crucial role in the establishment of the National Democratic Laborers' Federation (Jeonnoryeon), becoming a key leader in advancing labor rights and organizing workers. In 1989, he further expanded his influence by founding the *Weekly Laborer's Newspaper* and the *Labor Daily*.

2.3. Hakrim Incident and Imprisonment

On May 15, 1980, during a student protest at Seoul Station, Lee Tae-bok, alongside the Hakrim faction, advocated for continued struggle against the government, though the leadership ultimately decided to disband. In 1981, he was arrested in connection with the Hakrim Incident, a fabricated case of anti-state activities. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment and served 7 years and 4 months before being paroled in 1988. His civil rights were fully restored through a pardon in December 1988. Decades later, in 2012, the Supreme Court of Korea finally acquitted him of the charges, 31 years after his initial arrest. In 2013, he was officially recognized as a participant in the May 18 Democratization Movement.

3.1. Senior Secretary for Welfare and Labor at Cheong Wa Dae

In March 2001, during the Kim Dae-jung administration, Lee Tae-bok was appointed as the Senior Secretary for Welfare and Labor at Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office. In this capacity, he served as the head of the task force responsible for introducing the significant five-day work week policy in South Korea.

3.2. Minister of Health and Welfare

Lee Tae-bok served as the 40th Minister of Health and Welfare from January 29, 2002, to July 11, 2002. He succeeded Kim Won-gil and was succeeded by Kim Seong-ho. During his tenure, he advocated for drug price reduction policies to improve the financial soundness of the national health insurance system. Upon leaving office, he expressed regret that these policies could not be fully implemented due to pressure from both domestic and international pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, he noted that subsequent drug price reduction measures significantly benefited the health insurance finances. In recognition of his public service, he was awarded the Cheongjo Geunjeong Medal by the government in 2003.

4.1. Chairman of Humanity's Land

Since 2003, Lee Tae-bok served as the chairman of "Humanity's Land," a non-profit organization he helped establish in 1996. Under his leadership, the organization provided welfare support to needy neighbors, organized book donation campaigns for overseas Koreans, and offered medical aid to North Koreans, demonstrating his consistent commitment to humanitarian causes.

4.2. "5 Major Bubble Reduction" Movement

From 2007, Lee Tae-bok served as the standing representative of the "5 Major Bubble Reduction Movement Headquarters." This civic movement actively campaigned for price reductions in essential goods and services, specifically targeting fuel costs, mobile phone fees, credit card processing fees, drug prices, and bank interest margins. His efforts contributed to significant price reductions, and the movement's proposals were even adopted as campaign pledges by major presidential candidates, including Park Geun-hye, Lee Myung-bak, and Chung Dong-young. In 2008, he submitted a legislative petition related to the "5 Major Bubble Reduction" movement. He continued this work in 2013 by leading the National Petroleum Establishment Movement, serving as CEO and Chairman of National Petroleum Co. Inc., in his final efforts to lower fuel prices for the public.

4.3. Other Social Contributions

Lee Tae-bok engaged in a wide range of other impactful social activities. In 2009, he initiated a signature campaign advocating for national health insurance coverage for elderly dentures. That same year, he spearheaded a fundraising effort to erect an anti-Japanese historical monument in Shiliwa, Heilongjiang Province, China. His recognition as a May 18 Democratization Movement participant in 2013 underscored his historical significance. He also held leadership positions in various historical and memorial societies, serving as Chairman of the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Woljinhoe in 2018 and Chairman of the Yun Sang-won Memorial Society (May 18 Uprising) in 2019.

5.1. Major Works and Themes

His writings were characterized by a rejection of abstract theories in favor of practical alternatives rooted in the concrete realities of Korean society. He sought to re-examine and introduce figures who had dedicated themselves to the nation and its people. His major works include:

• Finding Hope in Our Times (1996)
• Courage Brings Hope (2000)
• Even if I Fall, I Don't Stop (2002)
• Is the Republic of Korea Sinking? (2004)
• Social Welfare Policy (co-authored with Shim Bok-ja, 2006)
• Biography of Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (2006)
• Finding a Way Out for the Republic of Korea (2009)
• Tojeong Yi Ji-ham (2011)
• Biography of Yun Bong-gil (2019)
• Biography of Joseon Cheongbaekri Samsan Yi Tae-jung (2019)

In his writings, particularly during the IMF crisis, he critically analyzed economic policies, pointing out what he viewed as the exploitation of Korea by transnational capital. He actively criticized the adverse effects of ultra-tight, high-interest rate, and liberalization policies, and led efforts to overcome their aftermath. He also organized campaigns against the privatization of entities like the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

6.1. Social Justice and Democracy

His core philosophy was deeply rooted in the belief in social justice, which manifested in his unwavering commitment to protecting workers' rights and advocating for socially vulnerable groups. Throughout his career, he consistently strived to contribute to the advancement of democracy in South Korea, viewing it as essential for achieving a more equitable society.

9.1. Positive Assessments

He is widely recognized for his significant achievements and positive contributions as a dedicated labor activist, a visionary social reformer, and an effective government official. His efforts in establishing labor organizations, advocating for the five-day work week, and championing policies for the welfare of the needy are frequently highlighted as key successes. The Cheongjo Geunjeong Medal he received in 2003 further underscores the official recognition of his valuable public service. His leadership in the "5 Major Bubble Reduction" movement is also seen as a testament to his commitment to improving the economic well-being of ordinary citizens.

9.2. Criticisms and Controversies

While largely celebrated, Lee Tae-bok's career was not without its controversies. His arrest and initial conviction in the Hakrim Incident, though later overturned, represent a period of significant personal hardship and a controversial chapter in his life, reflecting the political suppression prevalent during South Korea's authoritarian era.

9.3. Historical Significance

Lee Tae-bok's influence and enduring importance in modern Korean history are considerable. He is particularly noted for his profound impact on the labor movement, where his early activism laid crucial groundwork for workers' rights. His later roles in government and civil society further solidified his legacy as a key figure in the development of social welfare policies and the broader advancement of democratic principles in South Korea. His life's work serves as a testament to persistent advocacy for the marginalized and a more just society.