President Lee Myung-bak will likely carry his green growth initiative as he heads into retirement, while keeping a relatively low-profile, reports said Wednesday.

“The president has laid down the rule that he will work quietly after stepping down, but he will not waste the experiences gained as head of state by becoming secluded,” an unnamed Cheong Wa Dae official was quoted as saying in the local media.

For the field he will work in, the outgoing president is said to have narrowed down the possibilities to promoting green growth, researching issues related to the four-rivers project and using his status as a former president to engage in civilian diplomacy.

Throughout his term, Lee has emphasized “low-carbon green growth” and has recently stated that it is a task that should be carried on regardless of the change in administration.

Carried out as part of Lee’s green-growth initiative, the four-rivers project has faced strong opposition throughout its course, and environmental groups have claimed that it has had more detrimental effects than benefits.

Lee, however, is said to be of the view that the project will be reevaluated in later years.

The Cheong Wa Dae official also said that the president plans to set up an office for post-retirement work, and to receive official guests.

Among Lee’s predecessors, late President Kim Dae-jung was the only one to work from a separate office. Other former presidents including Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun worked from their homes.

As for the location of his private office, Lee is said to be looking at properties in areas close to his home in Nonhyeon-dong in southern Seoul.  

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)