Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk, who served six terms, passes away at age 89

Known as Yeongildae-gun during the MB era, played a key role
Efforts in returning Joseon royal archives and resource diplomacy

Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk passed away on the 23rd at the age of 89. Lee, who served six terms, was the elder brother of former President Lee Myung-bak. Known as the 'Yeongildae-gun,' he was considered a powerful figure during the Lee Myung-bak (MB) administration.

Born in 1935, the late Lee graduated from Dongji Commercial High School in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, and the Department of Economics at Seoul National University. He joined Kolon Group in 1979 and served as president of Kolon Trading Company. He entered politics in 1988 and was consecutively elected six times from the Pohang Nam-Ulleung constituency in the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th National Assembly.

During his time as a member of the National Assembly, he held various parliamentary positions including Deputy Speaker and Chair of the National Assembly Steering Committee, as well as party roles such as Supreme Council member, floor leader, policy committee chairman, and secretary-general. During the former president’s tenure, he was called the 'Sangwang' (Retired King) and regarded as a key power broker in the administration. The phrase 'Mansahyeongtong,' meaning 'everything goes through the elder brother,' became popular, referring to the influence he wielded. He also played a mediating role in resolving conflicts between former President Lee Myung-bak and former President Park Geun-hye, who fiercely competed during the presidential election period. During the IMF financial crisis, as chairman of the National Assembly’s Finance and Economy Committee, he contributed to the passage of financial reform laws and served as president of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League, playing a major role in the return of 1,200 volumes of the Joseon Royal Protocols in 2011.

In the later years of his public service, he focused heavily on resource diplomacy. To secure lithium necessary for secondary battery production, he visited Bolivia, a lithium powerhouse, several times and met with President Morales, gaining active cooperation from the Bolivian government. He also authored the book , advocating the importance of resource diplomacy and mid- to long-term resource investment.

He is survived by his spouse Choi Sin-ja, children Lee Ji-hyung, Lee Sung-eun, and Lee Ji-eun, daughter-in-law Jo Jae-hee, and sons-in-law Koo Bon-cheon and Oh Jung-seok. The funeral hall is set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center, room 20. The funeral procession will be held on the 26th.