Collapsed During National Unification Advisory Council Visit to Vietnam at 73
President Lee Dispatches Special Political Advisor Cho Jungshik; Arrival at Incheon Airport on the 27th
"Lost a Great Mentor... The Journey Toward Democracy and Peacef
Lee Haechan, Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council and former Prime Minister, passed away on January 25 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was 73 years old. He collapsed from a myocardial infarction during the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee meeting of the National Unification Advisory Council and was unable to recover.
President Lee Jaemyung wrote on Facebook that day, "Today, the Republic of Korea has lost a great mentor in the history of democracy. I cannot contain my grief at the news of his passing," adding, "Just as a river, though winding, ultimately flows to the sea, the journey toward democracy, peaceful unification, and balanced national development that he so passionately pursued will continue on."
President Lee stated, "Senior Vice Chairperson Lee devoted his entire life to upholding and expanding the values of democracy amid the turbulent modern history of our nation. The spirit of the young man who fought for democracy was later refined into sophisticated policies at the center of state affairs. He demonstrated outstanding leadership by harmoniously balancing stability and reform, never compromising his principles and convictions in the face of the challenges of the era."
President Lee continued, "In particular, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee presented a new national vision of balanced regional development and pursued innovative policies for the joint growth of the capital area and the regions, laying an important foundation for Korea's leap into an advanced nation. We reflect on his unwavering commitment to seeking the path of peace and unification."
The National Unification Advisory Council announced that the remains would be transported on Korean Air flight KE476 at 11:50 p.m. on January 26, arriving at Incheon Airport at 6:45 a.m. on January 27, after which the late Lee will be laid to rest at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall. Upon hearing the news of Lee's critical condition on January 23, President Lee Jaemyung immediately dispatched Special Political Advisor Cho Jungshik to Vietnam, and lawmakers Lee Haesik, Kim Hyun, Choi Minhee, and Kim Taenyeon also traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to oversee the situation.
'From First-Generation Activist to Seven-Term Lawmaker and Prime Minister... Kingmaker for Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jaemyung'
Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was born in 1952 in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province. While attending Seoul National University, he participated in the student movement and was imprisoned for his involvement in the National Democratic Youth and Students League Incident and the Kim Daejung Rebellion Conspiracy Case. Afterward, he ran the social science bookstore 'Gwangjang' in Sillim-dong, Seoul. He joined the Peace Democratic Party led by former President Kim Daejung and entered the National Assembly in 1988 as the youngest member at the time (36 years old) in the 13th general election. Except for not running in the 18th general election, he ran for a constituency seat seven times and was elected each time. After being excluded from nomination in 2016, he left the party and was elected as an independent in Sejong, reaffirming his political presence.
As Minister of Education in the Kim Daejung administration in 1998, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee led major educational reforms such as expanding high school equalization, abolishing the academic achievement test, and introducing the College Scholastic Ability Test. The impact of these policies extended beyond education to the labor market and human capital formation, giving rise to the term "Lee Haechan Generation." In the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he was appointed Prime Minister in 2004 and was dubbed the "responsible prime minister." During his tenure, he led the planning of the Administrative Capital (Sejong City), contributing to the foundation of balanced national development.
His relationship with former President Moon Jae-in is summarized by Lee's own words: "A friend and comrade who shared more than 30 years together since the democratization movement." During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Lee served as Prime Minister while Moon served as Chief Presidential Secretary, working together in state affairs. In the 19th presidential election, Lee served as the head of the election campaign committee, contributing to the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration. Former President Moon expressed his condolences on Facebook, remembering Lee as a "longtime comrade" and a "steadfast partner in state affairs."
Lee's political stature is clearly reflected in his nickname as a "kingmaker" who helped create administrations. He was involved in analyzing election trends and devising strategies for the birth of the Kim Daejung administration, served as the head of the election planning team for Roh Moo-hyun's campaign, and became Prime Minister after the administration was launched. In the 2017 presidential election, he served as the head of Moon Jae-in's election campaign committee and, as leader of the Democratic Party, led the party to victory in the 2020 general election.
His ties with President Lee Jaemyung are also deep. During the 2021 presidential election, he served as Senior Advisor, and in the 2024 general election, he was Co-Chairperson of the Election Committee. After the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, he was appointed Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council in October last year, becoming the symbolic figure for the "peace and unification" agenda.
During the 21st presidential election, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee played a key role as a "political mentor" and senior statesman, helping to expand Lee Jaemyung's appeal and strengthen party unity. From his time as leader of the ruling party from 2018 to 2020, he embraced President Lee as a "precious asset of the party," and during election periods, he served as a channel for Lee to seek advice during important elections. In 2022, when President Lee was the leader of the Democratic Party, he attended the publication ceremony for Lee's memoir and stated, "He is the elder I respect the most." In May last year, at the end of the 21st presidential election, he made a symbolic appearance at a major campaign rally in Sejong.
Messages of Condolence from Blue House Aides... "A Lifetime Dedicated to Democratization and Building a Democratic National Party"
On this day, Blue House aides also issued a series of condolence messages. Kang Hunsik, Chief Presidential Secretary, said of the former Prime Minister's passing, "Senior Vice Chairperson Lee dedicated his entire life to the grand dream of democratization and building a democratic national party in Korea. Every path he walked toward that dream has become history."
Chief Secretary Kang wrote on Facebook, "Since becoming Chief Secretary, there have been many moments when the words of the Prime Minister suddenly come to mind." He continued, "With the conviction that politics must ultimately improve people's lives, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee grappled with reality more earnestly than anyone else. 'Learn values from history, find methods in reality'-this one sentence that defined the Prime Minister's life is something I will also hold dear in my heart."
He added, "At the end of his final memoir, he wrote that he now feels he can understand former President Kim Daejung's words, 'Life is beautiful and history progresses.' I share in that sentiment, trying to console my sorrow and sense of loss. I sincerely hope he rests in peace."
Hong Ikpyo, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, also wrote on Facebook, "When Korea was passing through a dark period, he did not hesitate to walk a thorny path, holding high the torch of democracy. As a politician of experience and wisdom, he was like a compass, constantly showing us the way forward."
He continued, "As the party's chief spokesperson, I had the honor of serving the Prime Minister when he was party leader, and I learned the attitude of a politician who pursues the public good, not private interests, for the sake of the people's lives. Until the very end, the former Prime Minister devoted himself to the future of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula." He added, "Our society owes a great debt to the Prime Minister's life. Now it is our turn to carry on his legacy and continue on the path toward a world filled with justice and peace."
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