South Korea Holds Five‑Day Government‑Honored Funeral for Late Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan

Updated 2026-01-27 10:48:22+00:00 (28 articles)

Lee Hae‑chan’s sudden death in Vietnam The 73‑year‑old former prime minister suffered cardiac arrest on 25 January 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City after flu‑like symptoms worsened, underwent a stent insertion, and died despite emergency care [13][16][17][18][19][20]. At the time of his death he was senior vice chairperson (also described as executive vice chairperson) of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a role he had held since October 2025 [13][16][18][1]. His passing was announced by PUAC officials and quickly confirmed by multiple government sources [13][16].

Body repatriated on Korean Air charter Lee’s flag‑draped casket, family members, and Democratic Party lawmakers flew from Vietnam to Incheon International Airport on the night of 26 January, arriving early on 27 January 2026 [5][6][7][8][9]. Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, chair of the funeral committee, received the casket with honor guards before it was transferred to Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral home [1][4][5]. The repatriation was coordinated with Vietnamese authorities, who expedited death and embalming certificates to meet the schedule [8][9].

Five‑day “social‑institutional” funeral organized A combined “social funeral” and “institutional funeral” will run from 27 January to 31 January, extending beyond the usual three‑day period to honor Lee’s societal contributions [9][11][12][7]. The ceremony will feature government honors but not a full state funeral, respecting the family’s wish for a limited format [1][4][5]. Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok leads the funeral committee, joined by Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik and Democratic Party chairman Jung Chung‑rai [4][7][11].

National leaders confer highest civilian award President Lee Jae Myung visited the funeral hall, laid a wreath, and posthumously awarded Lee the Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea’s top civilian decoration, citing his lifelong dedication to democracy [2][3][15]. Assembly Speaker Woo, former President Moon Jae‑in, and opposition leader Jang Dong‑hyeok also sent condolence wreaths and praised Lee as a “living witness” to the nation’s democratic development [1][12][15]. The Democratic Party paused internal merger talks to honor Lee, with party leader Jung Chung‑rae pledging to continue his peace and democratization agenda [10][12].

Political legacy highlighted across reports Lee served seven terms in the National Assembly, was prime minister from 2004‑2006 under Roh Moo‑hyun, and held the education minister portfolio under Kim Dae‑jung, earning the nickname “kingmaker” for advising four progressive presidents [13][14][16][17][18][19][20]. His early activism included imprisonment during the 1970s pro‑democracy movement, and later he helped shape reunification policy as senior vice chair of the PUAC [14][13][18]. Officials across the political spectrum emphasized his role in advancing democratic reforms and inter‑Korean dialogue [1][2][12][15].

Sources (20 articles)

Timeline

1974 – Lee Hae‑chan joins nationwide student protests against President Park Chung‑hee, is arrested and serves nearly a year in prison, marking the start of his lifelong pro‑democracy activism[14].

1980 – Lee is tried for involvement in a 1980 insurrection, receives a ten‑year sentence, and is later pardoned in 1982, reinforcing his reputation as a steadfast opposition figure[14].

1998 – As education minister under President Kim Dae‑jung, Lee expands a standardized high‑school placement system, a reform credited with “normalizing” Korean school education[14].

2004‑2006 – Lee serves as prime minister under President Roh Moo‑hyun, earning the nickname “kingmaker” for advising multiple progressive presidents[13].

Nov 13, 2024 – Lee appears beside President Lee Jae Myung at the Democratic Party’s foreign‑affairs and unification advisory launch, highlighting his continued influence in party strategy[3].

Oct 2025 – Lee is appointed senior vice‑president (executive vice‑chairperson) of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), positioning him to shape the Lee Jae Myung administration’s North‑Korea policy[14].

Jan 23, 2026 – While at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Lee collapses, is rushed to a local hospital, receives CPR and a stent, and remains in critical condition on a mechanical ventilator[24].

Jan 24, 2026 – President Lee orders senior aide Cho Jung‑sik and several Democratic Party lawmakers to fly to Vietnam to assess Lee’s health; Cho departs Incheon for Ho Chi Minh City the same day[23][22].

Jan 25, 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan dies of cardiac arrest at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital after flu‑like symptoms and a stent procedure, ending a 73‑year life of public service[13].

Jan 25, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung posts a Facebook condolence, calling Lee a “great mentor in the history of democracy” and expressing deep sympathy for his family[15].

Jan 26, 2026 – The ruling Democratic Party suspends a planned merger, convenes a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, declares a week of mourning, and pledges to carry forward Lee’s democratization and peace agenda[10][12].

Jan 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok heads a funeral committee that finalizes a five‑day “social funeral” schedule (Jan 27‑31), blending public “social” rites with formal “institutional” ceremonies[7][9].

Jan 27, 2026 – Lee’s flag‑draped casket returns on a Korean Air charter, lands at Incheon International Airport, is received by Prime Minister Kim, and is transferred to Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral home[5][6].

Jan 27, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung visits the funeral home, confers the Order of Mugunghwa—the nation’s highest civilian honor—on Lee posthumously, lays a wreath, and offers personal condolences, wiping away tears[1].

Jan 27‑31, 2026 – A five‑day funeral with government honors proceeds at Seoul National University Hospital, combining “social” and “institutional” rites; the ceremonies conclude on Saturday, Jan 31, reflecting Lee’s prominent public stature[9][11].