Lee Hae-chan Death: South Korea Mourns Democracy Pioneer

President Lee Jae-myung expressed his condolences on the news of the death of Lee Hae-chan, senior vice-chairman of the Advisory Council for Democratic and Peaceful Unification, who served as Prime Minister, on the 25th, saying, “Today, the Republic of Korea lost a great teacher in the history of democracy.”

In a post posted on Facebook that day, President Lee said, “I cannot help but feel saddened by the news of the deceased’s passing. On behalf of the Republic of Korea, I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family.”

President Lee said of the deceased, “He devoted his life to protecting and expanding democratic values in the midst of turbulent modern history,” and “The spirit of the young man who fought for democracy was sublimated into sophisticated policies at the center of national affairs.”

He continued, “He showed excellent leadership in bringing about stability and reform in harmony while not giving up his principles and convictions in the face of the challenges of the times.”

In particular, he mentioned the balanced regional development policy and explained, “By presenting a new national vision of balanced regional development and promoting innovative policies that allow the metropolitan area and regions to grow together, we have laid an important foundation for Korea to leap forward as an advanced country.”

Regarding inter-Korean relations and the vision for unification, he said, “I reflect on the will of the Senior Vice Chairman, who sought a path to peace with a firm belief in unification,” and “I cannot express in words the regret of having to leave without completing the dream we wanted to achieve together.”

President Lee 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 you so desperately wanted to achieve will continue in the future,” adding, “I will long remember the precious political legacy you left behind.”

At the same time, he repeatedly expressed his condolences, saying, “Senior Vice-Chairman Lee, I hope you will now lay down all your burdens and rest in peace.”

According to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Senior Vice Chairman Lee went to rest in Vietnam at 2:48 pm (local time) on this day. Senior Vice Chairman Lee visited Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on the 22nd to attend the steering committee of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The next morning, on the 23rd, he was in poor health and was undergoing emergency procedures to return home. However, he developed breathing difficulties at the Vietnam airport and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Former Prime Minister Lee, who was diagnosed with myocardial infarction, underwent stent surgery but did not regain consciousness.

Party leader Han Min-soo, chief of staff, met with reporters immediately after a closed-door supreme committee meeting held at the National Assembly this afternoon and said, “I express my deepest condolences along with all party members over the passing of standing advisor Lee, who was a symbol of the democratization movement and a great senior member of the Democratic Party.” He added, “We will focus on mourning, excluding essential duties during the mourning period.”

Chief of Staff Han said, “Party leader Chung Cheong-rae designated the funeral period as a time of mourning for the Democratic Party and ordered that mortuaries be set up in each provincial and provincial party so that party members, citizens, and the public could pay their respects,” and added, “We ordered regional committees across the country to display banners commemorating the standing advisor.”

He added, “As soon as the mortuary is prepared, CEO Jeong will personally guard the mortuary and welcome mourners, and he will personally greet Senior Advisor Lee when he arrives at Incheon Airport at 6:45 a.m. on the 27th.”

According to the Democratic Party, this standing advisor is currently being transferred to the Vietnam Armed Forces Hospital and will be released to his family after being kept in the hospital’s freezer. Afterwards, he was placed in a coffin for air transport and returned to Vietnam on a Korean Air flight at 11:50 pm on the 26th (local time) (1:50 am on the 27th in Korea time). The mortuary will be set up at Seoul National University Hospital.

Younghye Han ([email protected])