Collapsed During National Unification Advisory Council Event in Vietnam at Age 73
President Lee Dispatches Special Political Advisor Cho Jungshik... Remains to Arrive at Incheon Airport on the 27th
President Lee: "We Have Lost a Great Mentor... The
Lee Haechan, Senior Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council and former Prime Minister, passed away in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on January 25. He was 73 years old. He collapsed from a myocardial infarction while attending the Asia-Pacific Regional Operations Committee meeting of the National Unification Advisory Council and ultimately did not recover. His body will depart Vietnam on a Korean Air flight on the night of January 26 and arrive at Incheon International Airport on the morning of January 27, after which it will be transported to the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital.
The National Unification Advisory Council is currently consulting with the bereaved family and related organizations regarding the funeral arrangements, and is reportedly considering various options, including a government or state funeral. Some have suggested the possibility of a state funeral, the highest official ceremony presided over by the government to honor his achievements, or a parliamentary funeral organized by the National Assembly.
Upon hearing of Lee's passing, President Lee Jaemyung wrote on Facebook, "Today, the Republic of Korea has lost a great teacher in the history of democracy. I cannot hide my deep sorrow at the news of his passing," adding, "Just as a river, even when it bends, ultimately flows to the sea, the journey toward democracy, peaceful unification, and balanced national development that he so earnestly pursued will continue."
President Lee stated, "Senior Vice Chairperson Lee dedicated his life to upholding and expanding the values of democracy amidst the turbulence of modern history. The spirit of a young man who fought for democracy was transformed into sophisticated policy at the heart of government. He demonstrated outstanding leadership, never compromising his principles and convictions in the face of the era's challenges, while skillfully balancing stability and reform."
President Lee continued, "In particular, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee presented a new national vision of balanced regional development and pursued innovative policies that enabled the capital region and local areas to grow together, laying an important foundation for Korea's advancement as a developed nation. I reflect on his unwavering commitment to the path of peace and unification."
The National Unification Advisory Council announced that, regarding the transport of his remains, the body will be flown on Korean Air flight KE476 at 11:50 p.m. on January 26 and will arrive at Incheon Airport at 6:45 a.m. on January 27, after which he will be taken to the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital. Upon hearing that Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was in critical condition on January 23, President Lee immediately dispatched Special Political Advisor Cho Jungshik to Vietnam, and Assembly members Lee Haesik, Kim Hyun, Choi Minhee, and Kim Taenyeon also traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to oversee the situation.
'First Generation of Activists' to Seven-Term Lawmaker and Prime Minister... Kingmaker for Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jaein, and Lee Jaemyung
Senior Vice Chairperson Lee was born in Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province in 1952. While attending Seoul National University, he participated in the student movement, becoming a leading figure in the fight against dictatorship and for unification. He was imprisoned for his involvement in the Mincheonghakryeon Incident and the Kim Daejung Rebellion Conspiracy Case, and later ran a social science bookstore called "Gwangjang" in Sillim-dong, Seoul. He joined the Peace Democratic Party led by former President Kim Daejung and entered the National Assembly in the 13th general election in 1988 as the youngest member (at age 36). Except for not running in the 18th general election, he was elected seven times in his constituency. After being excluded from nominations in 2016, he left the party and was elected as an independent in Sejong, reaffirming his political presence.
Notably, as Minister of Education under the Kim Daejung administration in 1998, Senior Vice Chairperson Lee led major educational reforms, including 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." Under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he was appointed Prime Minister in 2004 and was known as the "responsible prime minister." During his tenure, he led the design of the Administrative Capital (Sejong City), contributing to the foundation of balanced national development.
His relationship with former President Moon Jaein is summed up by Lee's own words: "A friend and comrade who has shared more than 30 years since the democratization movement." During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Lee served as Prime Minister while Moon was Chief Presidential Secretary, working together in state affairs. In the 19th presidential election, Lee served as campaign chairman, helping to launch the Moon Jaein administration. As party leader from 2018 to 2020, he built a close relationship between the party and the Blue House. Former President Moon expressed his condolences on Facebook, remembering Lee as a "longtime comrade" and a "steadfast partner in governance."
Senior Vice Chairperson Lee's political stature is clearly reflected in his nickname as a "kingmaker." He was involved in election analysis and strategy for the birth of the Kim Daejung administration, served as head of election planning for Roh Moo-hyun's campaign before becoming Prime Minister, and was campaign chairman for Moon Jaein in the 2017 presidential election. As leader of the Democratic Party, he led the party to victory in the 2020 general election.
He also had deep ties with President Lee Jaemyung. During the 2021 presidential campaign, Lee served as Senior Advisor to the Lee Jaemyung campaign, and in the 2024 general election, he was Co-Chair of the Joint 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 face of 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, supporting Lee Jaemyung's efforts to broaden his appeal and strengthen party unity. From his time as ruling party leader (2018-2020), he embraced President Lee as "the party's most valuable asset," and during election periods, he served as a key advisor to President Lee. In 2022, when President Lee was the Democratic Party leader, he attended the publication event for Lee Haechan's memoir, stating, "He is the elder I respect the most." In May last year, at the end of the 21st presidential election, Lee Haechan made a symbolic appearance at a major campaign rally in Sejong.
Blue House Aides Also Pay Tribute... "A Lifetime Dedicated to Democratization and Building a Democratic People's Party"
On this day, Blue House aides also issued a series of tribute messages. Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, said of the former Prime Minister's passing, "Senior Vice Chairperson Lee dedicated his entire life to the grand dream of Korea's democratization and building a democratic people's party. Every step he took 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 former 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 intensely than anyone else. I will also engrave in my heart the sentence that defined his life: 'Learn values from history, and find methods in reality.'"
He added, "In the final part of his memoir, he wrote that he could now somewhat understand former President Kim Daejung's words, 'Life is beautiful and history progresses.' I try to console my sadness and sense of loss by reflecting on these feelings. I sincerely hope he rests in peace."
Hong Ikpyo, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, also wrote on Facebook, "When Korea was going through dark times, he did not shy away from the thorny path, but held 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 Chief Spokesperson, I had the honor of serving the former Prime Minister when he was party leader, and I learned the attitude of a politician who pursues only the public good, not personal gain, in politics for the people. Until the very end, he devoted himself to the future of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. Our society owes a great debt to his life. Now, we will carry on his legacy and continue to walk the path toward a world filled with justice and peace."
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