Lee Hae-chan Visits General Baek Seon-yeop's Funeral Home: "A Cherished Senior and a Healthy Man"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the funeral hall of General Baek Seon-yeop on the 12th.

At around 8:30 p.m. that day, Lee, along with Min Hong-chul, chairman of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, and spokesperson Song Gap-seok, visited General Baek's funeral hall set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Lee met with the bereaved family and recalled, "In 2005, I had dinner with the general at the Prime Minister's residence and talked about military matters," adding, "He was still in good health back then..." In 2005, when Lee was Prime Minister, he invited General Baek and senior advisory members of the Veterans Association to the Prime Minister's residence to discuss relocating military units and facilities due to the construction of Wirye New Town.

After paying his respects, Lee moved inside and spoke with the family members. Spokesperson Song conveyed that Lee said at the venue, "The image of General Baek I met back then was of someone who deeply cared for his juniors and was very healthy."

Regarding the controversial issue of burial at the National Cemetery, the chief mourner reportedly stated, "When the deceased was healthy, the family had previously agreed to have him buried at Daejeon National Cemetery," adding, "Whether it is Daejeon or Seoul, it is all the Republic of Korea, and both Daejeon National Cemetery and Seoul National Cemetery are national cemeteries."

Before Lee, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon also visited the funeral hall. After leaving, Lee said, "I expressed my condolences to the bereaved family."

Meanwhile, as Lee and Lee Nak-yeon left the funeral hall, they faced protests from YouTubers and citizens waiting there regarding the issue of General Baek's burial at the National Cemetery.