Park Ji-won: "The Late Lee Hae-chan Cried Holding His Wife After Being Cut Off from the Democratic Party"

Park Ji-won Shares Anecdote About the Late Lee Hae-chan
Excluded from Democratic Party Nomination in the 20th General Election
"He Said He Never Imagined It, Even in His Dreams"

Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, shared a past anecdote about the late former Senior Deputy Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, Lee Hae-chan.

Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the funeral hall of the late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 27th and greeted Hwang Myung-sun, also a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 27th, Park wrote on his social media, "About 8 or 9 years ago, when my wife was hospitalized and in critical condition, former lawmaker Park Yang-su and I were invited to dinner by former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan." According to Park, at that time, Lee said, "I never imagined, even in my dreams, that I would be cut off from the Democratic Party," and added, "I was so devastated that I went home, held my wife, and cried my eyes out."

He went on to tell Park, "I thought of DJ (the late President Kim Dae-jung). He overcame such harsh trials in his life. That is how he became president. I, too, went to Sejong with my wife and ran as an independent, and I won." Lee continued, "Chief Park, you served DJ more closely and for longer than I did. You learned much wisdom and even more courage from him," and encouraged Park by saying, "Your wife will recover, and you will surely overcome your own trials and return."

Reflecting on this story, Park said, "I still remember the courage and wisdom he gave me. May he rest in peace."

Former Senior Deputy Speaker Lee Hae-chan was cut off (excluded from nomination) by Kim Jongin, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the 20th general election in 2016. Photo by The Asia Business Daily DB

Former Senior Deputy Chairman Lee was excluded from nomination (cut off) by Kim Jongin, Chairman of the Emergency Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the 20th general election in 2016. At that time, Chairman Kim removed the so-called 'pro-Roh Moo-hyun' faction during the nomination process, and Lee was a prominent figure who was cut off. Afterwards, he ran as an independent in Sejong, won the election, and later rejoined the party.

Upon hearing the news of Lee's passing, former Chairman Kim expressed his condolences, saying, "It is truly regrettable." He told Yonhap News on the 26th, "(The late Lee) was a politician who devoted a lot of effort to the Democratic Party of Korea," and added, "He served as party leader and played a key role in paving the way for President Lee Jae-myung today." He also said, "Despite many health challenges, he worked tirelessly, which may have contributed to his passing."

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are paying their respects with a moment of silence in front of the portrait at the funeral hall of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung visited the funeral hall of the late former Senior Deputy Chairman Lee on the afternoon of the 27th. President Lee, accompanied by his wife Kim Hye-kyung, paid his respects at the funeral hall set up at Seoul National University Hospital and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Earlier, the government decided to posthumously award Lee the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal, and President Lee personally brought the medal to the funeral hall. Upon hearing the news of Lee's passing on the 25th, President Lee expressed his condolences on social media, saying, "We have lost a great teacher in the history of democracy."

The funeral for the late former Senior Deputy Chairman Lee will be held as an official and social funeral until the 31st, jointly organized by the National Unification Advisory Council and the Democratic Party of Korea.