Condoleezza Rice Donates W10 Million to Ferry Victims

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice donated W10 million (US$1=W1,031) to the Community Chest of Korea late last month for the victims of the ferry disaster.

Rice was on a lecture tour of Korea.

She reportedly told the charity that she was "heartbroken" when she watched news of the ferry disaster from her hotel room and wondered if there was something she could do.

Rice handed over an envelope filled with 200 fresh W50,000 bills.

CCK chairman Huh Dong-soo spoke with Rice for around 10 minutes. She asked Huh to keep her visit a secret, since she donated the money as a private citizen, but to no avail.

Rice was the first African-American woman to serve as secretary of state.

Her lecture tour, which focused on Korea-U.S. relations, took her to Korea University and Poongsan High School in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province.

She has preciously donated money to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other charitable organizations.

Former U.S. politicians frequently embark on a lucrative second career on the lecture circuit.