Democratization Giant Lee Haechan, Senior Vice Chairperson of National Unification Advisory Council, Passes Away at 73

A "Powerful Prime Minister" During the Roh Moo-hyun Administration
Later, an Elder Statesman of the Democratic Camp

Lee Haechan, Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council and a towering figure in the democratization movement, passed away on January 25. He was 73 years old.

The National Unification Advisory Council announced on this day, "Senior Vice Chairperson Lee passed away at 2:48 p.m. local time in Vietnam." The late Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to attend the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee meeting of the council when his health suddenly deteriorated, leading to his passing.

Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was diagnosed with myocardial infarction at Tam Ahn Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Despite receiving a stent procedure and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment in the intensive care unit, he ultimately did not regain consciousness.

A representative from the council stated, "We are currently discussing the repatriation and funeral procedures with the bereaved family and relevant authorities, and we will provide further updates once details are finalized." The representative also asked, "Please pray for the repose of the deceased and extend your warm condolences to the bereaved family."

Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was one of the leading figures in the democratization movement. While studying sociology at Seoul National University, he became involved in the student movement and was imprisoned in connection with the 1974 National Federation of Democratic Youth and Students (Mincheonghakryeon) incident. In 1980, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for alleged involvement in the Kim Daejung rebellion conspiracy case. In 1987, he served as the chief coordinator of the National Movement Headquarters for the Attainment of a Democratic Constitution, which led the June Democratic Uprising and played a major role in achieving constitutional reform for direct presidential elections.

Afterward, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee entered politics. Following Kim Daejung's defeat in the 1987 13th presidential election, he joined the Peace Democratic Party. In the 13th general election, he ran in the Gwanak-eul district of Seoul, defeating Kim Jongin of the Democratic Justice Party to win a seat in the National Assembly. He went on to serve five consecutive terms representing that district.

After entering politics, he served as the First Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs in the first popularly elected Seoul city government in 1995 and became the first Minister of Education under the Kim Daejung administration in 1998. During this period, the term "Lee Haechan Generation" was coined to refer to high school students, and it is still mentioned today.

In the 2002 16th presidential election, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee served as the head of planning for the central election campaign committee of the Millennium Democratic Party, helping Roh Moo-hyun win the presidency. In 2004, he was appointed Prime Minister by former President Roh Moo-hyun. He was known as an influential "powerful prime minister" alongside figures such as former Prime Minister Kim Jongpil.

After the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun, he took on the role of an elder statesman within the democratic camp. In the 2016 20th general election, he was cut off from nomination but rejoined the Democratic Party after leaving and winning as an independent. During the Moon Jaein administration, he was elected party leader in 2018.Under his leadership, the Democratic Party achieved a landslide victory, securing 180 seats in the 21st general election.

After retiring from politics, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee returned to serve as one of the co-chairs of the central election committee for the 22nd general election in 2024, alongside then-party leader Lee Jaemyung and former Prime Minister Kim Bugyeom, contributing to the party's victory. In October of last year, following the launch of the new administration, he was appointed Senior Vice Chairperson of the 22nd National Unification Advisory Council.