Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo Passes Away at Age 71

Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo (center) paying respects at the funeral hall of the late former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil, set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, in June 2018. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo, who served during the Park Geun-hye administration, passed away from blood cancer at the age of 71.

Born in 1950, Lee previously served as Governor of Chungcheongnam-do and was a three-term (15th, 16th, and 19th) member of the National Assembly. He later became the floor leader of the Saenuri Party and was appointed Prime Minister in February 2015 during the Park Geun-hye administration. He was once regarded as the leading figure of the Chungcheong region, even being called the "Post JP" (referring to former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil).

However, after a lobbying list left behind by former Gyeongnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Wan-jong, a 19th National Assembly member of the Saenuri Party, was discovered following his suicide, Lee resigned from the Prime Minister position after about 60 days in office.

Later, he received a call from the Liberty Korea Party and hinted at running in the 21st general election, but ultimately announced his withdrawal last year, effectively signaling his retirement from politics.

The funeral will be held at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital funeral hall.