Personally Presented the Mugunghwa Medal
President Lee and First Lady Pay Respects, Eyes Filled with Tears
Holding the Hands of the Bereaved, Offering Comfort
Five-Day Official and Social Funeral Until the 31st
President Lee Jaemyung visited the memorial altar of the late former Prime Minister Lee Haechan to pay his respects and posthumously awarded him the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal.
On January 27, President Lee and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, arrived at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the memorial altar for the former Prime Minister was located. They laid flowers in front of the portrait and knelt to offer incense.
The President and First Lady bowed their heads in silent tribute before the portrait. Mrs. Kim wiped away tears as her eyes welled up with emotion. President Lee offered words of condolence to each bereaved family member, including the former Prime Minister's spouse, Kim Jeong-ok, shaking their hands with both of his. At one point, President Lee was seen wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Mrs. Kim also comforted the family with hugs.
Afterwards, President Lee greeted Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who were standing in the chief mourner's position, before moving to a separate reception room.
On this day, President Lee also posthumously awarded the late former Prime Minister the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal, in recognition of his achievements. The Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal, is the highest class of the Order of Civil Merit, awarded to individuals who have contributed to national development and the improvement of public welfare in the fields of politics, economy, society, education, and academia.
The funeral is jointly organized by the National Unification Advisory Council and the Democratic Party. From today until January 31, the funeral will be held over five days as an official and social ceremony. During the funeral period, Democratic Party leaders, including Representative Jeong Cheongrae, will remain at the memorial altar and serve as chief mourners. Prime Minister Kim will serve as the chief funeral committee chair, while Baek Nakcheong, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, and Representative Jeong will serve as co-chairs representing civil society and political parties. As joint funeral committee chairs, they will invite leaders from each political party and respected figures from various sectors of society.
The late former Prime Minister had traveled to Vietnam to attend the Asia-Pacific Regional Steering Committee of the National Unification Advisory Council. On January 23, he suffered a myocardial infarction. Although he received treatment at a local hospital, his condition worsened, and he passed away locally at 2:48 p.m. on January 25 (4:48 p.m. Korean time) at the age of 73. His body was transported to Korea on the morning of January 27 via Korean Air flight KE476.
Earlier, upon hearing the news of the former Prime Minister's passing, President Lee stated on Facebook, "Today, the Republic of Korea has lost a great teacher in the history of democracy." He added, "Just as a river, no matter how winding, eventually flows to the sea, the journey toward democracy, peaceful unification, and balanced development of the Republic of Korea that he so earnestly pursued will continue."
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