Condolences at Lee Han-dong's Funeral by Yeo Song-yeong-gil and Yoon Ho-jung: "A Person Who Practiced the Spirit of Unity"

On the 9th, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, paid his respects at the funeral hall of Konkuk University Hospital in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, where the late former Prime Minister Lee Han-dong's wake was held.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader, visited the funeral hall of the late former Prime Minister Lee Han-dong on the 9th to pay their respects.

After the condolence visit, Leader Song told reporters, "He is remembered as a person who practiced the spirit of unity." He added, "He made efforts for communication and unity between the ruling and opposition parties, as well as between conservatives and progressives. In particular, the motto that Prime Minister Lee used was Haebulyangsu (海不讓水), meaning 'The sea does not refuse water.' I also adopted it as my motto when I was mayor of Incheon."

Floor Leader Yoon said, "Former Prime Minister Lee greatly helped the first democratic government under President Kim Dae-jung to operate the state affairs stably. Although he was not a member of our party, he led conservatives and progressives to harmonize well, so I came to pay my respects."

He continued, "When former Prime Minister Lee was active in politics, even if the ruling and opposition parties had different opinions, they did not hesitate to have conversations and sit down face-to-face. This is a rare sight in our current political scene. I think it would be good to restore that. In that regard, former Prime Minister Lee would probably feel regretful seeing politics today," he emphasized.