South Korean President Lee Myung-bak receives Statesman of the Year Award from Appeal of Conscience Foundation: Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President and Founder of The Appeal of Conscience Foundation presents the World Statesman award to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at the Waldorf Astoria on Tuesday September 20th . UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (left) and former Federal Reserve Chairman, Paul Volcker look on.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was honored with the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s World Statesman Award at a gala presentation September 20^th at the Waldorf Astoria. Foundation president and founder Rabbi Arthur Schneier cited President Lee Myung-bak’s “leadership in furthering democracy, freedom, peace and human rights” in presenting the award.

Joining Rabbi Schneier on a dais filled with international political and religious leaders were Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki–moon, H.E. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, DC,  H.E. Archbishop Demetrios, Prelate, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and H.E. Archbishop Barsamian, Primate, The Armenian Church of America.

President Lee came to politics following an outstanding business career, including major success as CEO of Hyundai Industries. He was elected Mayor of Seoul in 2002, where he made significant changes in the City’s livability, and was named one of Time Magazine’s 2007 “Heroes of the Environment.” Rabbi Schneier cited Lee’s dedication “to world peace and democracy and building bridges worldwide through economic and trade ties, concern for the environment, and respect for different cultures and civilizations” as he honored the South Korean leader.

President Lee is using his economic ties to promote significant economic development in the Korean peninsula. In New York during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, he discussed one proposed project, construction of a natural-gas pipeline across the divided peninsula, one he called a “win win” for all parties (Russia, North Korea and South Korea) during an interview with Bloomberg News.

For over forty five years, The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, under the leadership of founder Rabbi Arthur Schneier, has brought together leaders of many faiths and professions to work towards mutual understanding, peace, tolerance, human rights and inter-religious dialogue.