Former Prime Minister Lee Haechan in Critical Condition... Democratic Party Hopes for His Recovery: "He Still Has Much to Do"

Special Advisor Cho Jeongsik Also Departs for Vietnam
Will Report Directly to the President

On January 24, the Democratic Party of Korea expressed their wishes for the swift recovery of Lee Haechan, Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, whose health has rapidly deteriorated and who is now in critical condition in Vietnam.

Yonhap News Agency

Party leader Jung Chungrae wrote on Facebook that day, "I spoke with Assemblywoman Kim Hyun, who is currently in Vietnam. I was told that Senior Vice Chairperson Lee is in critical condition. We are all hoping wholeheartedly for his speedy recovery."

Assemblyman Kim Kyohung also wrote on Facebook, "I am deeply troubled. There is still much work for him to do. I sincerely pray that he will recover fully and return." Assemblywoman Seo Youngkyo wrote, "I heard that Senior Vice Chairperson Lee is regaining stability after surgery. I am relieved and I respect him greatly." Assemblyman Seo Youngseok stated, "I earnestly hope for the swift recovery of Lee Haechan, our party's great elder and former leader."

In addition, to assess the condition of Senior Vice Chairperson Lee, Assemblyman Cho Jeongsik of the Democratic Party, who serves as Special Political Advisor to President Lee Jaemyung, was urgently dispatched to Vietnam.

Advisor Cho departed for Vietnam via Incheon International Airport at around 9:20 a.m. that day. President Lee decided the previous day to urgently send Advisor Cho to Vietnam after being briefed on the critical situation of Senior Vice Chairperson Lee. This decision appears to have been made because of the gravity of the situation and the need for someone to provide a comprehensive assessment beyond the local diplomatic reports.

Advisor Cho is a six-term lawmaker known as a pro-Lee Jaemyung figure within the party, and is also rooted in the Lee Haechan faction. It is reported that he was contacted by the presidential office late the previous evening, and he is expected to provide real-time updates on the local situation to President Lee.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee began experiencing shortness of breath during a business trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the previous day, and was transported to the emergency room for treatment after receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A seven-term lawmaker who has served as both party leader and prime minister, Lee was appointed Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council in October of last year.