Vietnamese Government Expresses Deep Condolences Over the Passing of Former Prime Minister Lee Haechan

Yonhap News Agency

The Vietnamese government has expressed its condolences over the passing of Lee Haechan, Executive Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, who died in Vietnam.

According to the state-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on January 26 (local time), Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement saying, "Over the past few days, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and relevant authorities worked together to provide the best possible medical care to Executive Vice Chairperson Lee. However, he passed away due to a serious illness." She added, "Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other Vietnamese leaders have also extended their deepest condolences to the South Korean government and the bereaved family."

Previously, Executive Vice Chairperson Lee visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to attend a meeting of the National Unification Advisory Council. On January 23, he experienced symptoms of weakened breathing and was transported to the emergency room while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and received a stent procedure, after which he was treated in the intensive care unit, but he passed away the previous day.

The funeral for Executive Vice Chairperson Lee will be jointly organized by the National Unification Advisory Council and the Democratic Party of Korea, and will take place from January 27 to 31 as an official and social funeral. A social funeral is a ceremony in which representatives from various sectors of society voluntarily form a funeral committee to honor a prominent figure who made significant contributions to the nation and society.