President Lee Jae Myung Confers Order of Mugunghwa at Lee Hae‑chan’s Five‑Day Funeral

Updated 2026-01-27 10:48:22+00:00 (24 articles)

Cardiac Arrest Claims Former Prime Minister in Vietnam Lee Hae‑chan, 73, suffered cardiac arrest after flu‑like symptoms and a stent procedure at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital, dying on Jan 25, 2026 while on a business visit as senior (or executive) vice‑chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council [13][15][18]. His death followed a collapse on Friday, emergency transport, and a second cardiac event at the hospital [17][19]. The former premier had served as prime minister (2004‑2006), a seven‑term lawmaker, and was famed as a “kingmaker” for advising four progressive presidents [4][13][15].

Body Returns to Incheon, Five‑Day Funeral Commences Lee’s flag‑draped casket was flown from Vietnam on a Korean Air charter, landing at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday, where Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok and other senior officials received it with honor guards [5][6][7]. A combined “social” and “institutional” funeral will run Jan 27‑31 at Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral home, honoring both his societal contributions and official service while respecting the family’s wish to avoid a full state funeral [4][9][11]. The funeral committee, chaired by Prime Minister Kim, includes Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik, academic Paik Nak‑chung, and Democratic Party chairman Jung Chung‑rai [7][8][12].

President Awards Highest Civilian Decoration at Funeral President Lee Jae Myung visited the memorial altar on Jan 27, laid a wreath, and posthumously conferred the Order of Mugunghwa—the nation’s top civilian honor—recognizing Lee’s lifelong dedication to democracy and reunification policy [2][3][14]. He expressed personal grief, wiping away tears, and highlighted Lee’s role in shaping South Korea’s democratic development [2][14]. The ceremony featured incense burning by the president and other leaders, underscoring the broad political respect for Lee [1][4].

Democratic Party Suspends Merger Talks, Vows Continuation of Legacy The ruling Democratic Party postponed its planned merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, convening a Supreme Council meeting in the National Assembly to mourn Lee and pledge to advance his democratization and peace agenda [10][12]. Party leader Jung Chung‑rae delivered a condolence speech, promising to keep Lee’s “spiritual pillar” legacy alive in future inter‑Korean initiatives [12][13]. Both supporters and dissenting lawmakers joined the mourning, temporarily setting aside internal disputes [10].

Sources (20 articles)

Timeline

Oct 2025 – Lee Hae‑chan is appointed senior vice‑chairperson of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), a senior advisory body that supports the administration’s North‑Korea and reunification policies. [1]

Jan 23, 2026 – While attending a PUAC meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Lee collapses at Tan Son Nhat Airport, suffers cardiac arrest, receives CPR and is rushed to a hospital where doctors perform a stent insertion; he remains in critical condition on a mechanical breathing device. [23][24]

Jan 24, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung orders senior aide Cho Jung‑sik and several Democratic Party lawmakers to fly to Vietnam to assess Lee’s condition and coordinate assistance; Cho departs Incheon at 9:20 a.m. and will brief the president. [22][21]

Jan 25, 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan dies of cardiac arrest at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital at 2:48 p.m. local time after the stent procedure; he is 73. President Lee Jae Myung posts on Facebook: “deep condolences… a great mentor in the history of democracy… his democratic journey is like a river that reaches the sea.” [13][14]

Jan 25, 2026 – Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik calls Lee “a living witness to South Korea’s democracy” and “a great teacher of our time” during the memorial at Seoul National University Hospital. [2]

Jan 25, 2026 – Democratic Party Chairman Jung Chung‑rae, speaking at the party’s Supreme Council meeting, pledges to “continue Lee’s democratization and peace agenda,” describing him as a “symbol of South Korea’s democratization” and a “spiritual pillar” of the pro‑democracy movement. [12]

Jan 26, 2026 – The ruling Democratic Party suspends its planned merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, moves its Supreme Council meeting to the National Assembly, and declares a week‑long mourning period; floor leader Han Byung‑do and Rep. Lee Un‑ju join the condolences. [10]

Jan 26, 2026 – PUAC and the Democratic Party announce a five‑day “social funeral” for Lee, scheduled Jan 27‑31, combining a “social funeral” that honors societal contributions with an “institutional funeral” format, extending beyond South Korea’s usual three‑day mourning period. [9][11][7][8]

Jan 27, 2026 – Lee’s flag‑draped casket arrives on a Korean Air charter at Incheon International Airport; Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, chair of the funeral committee, receives the remains, leads an honor‑guard ceremony, and transports the casket to Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral home. [5][6][4][2]

Jan 27, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung visits the funeral home, posthumously confers the Order of Mugunghwa on Lee, lays a wreath at the memorial altar, and offers personal condolences, wiping away tears. [1]

Jan 27‑31, 2026 – The five‑day funeral proceeds under Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok’s committee, with participation from President Lee, Assembly Speaker Woo, former President Moon Jae‑in, and opposition leader Jang Dong‑hyeok; the ceremony blends government honors with the family’s wish to avoid a full state funeral. [1][2][4][7]