Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan Dies in Vietnam After Recent Unification Council Role
Updated (2 articles)
Lee Hae‑chan Passes Away While Visiting Vietnam Lee Hae‑chan died on Sunday, 25 January 2026, during an official trip to Vietnam [1]. He was 78 years old and his death was announced by the South Korean government and reported by Yonhap. The announcement highlighted his long‑standing influence on South Korean politics and his recent work on reunification policy.
Career Spanned Seven Legislative Terms and Multiple Cabinet Posts Lee served seven terms as a member of the National Assembly, representing constituencies such as Sejong [1]. He held the education minister portfolio in 1998 under President Kim Dae‑jung, later becoming prime minister under President Roh Moo‑hyun from 2004 to 2006 [1]. After stepping down, he remained a senior figure in the Democratic Party, co‑leading the 2024 parliamentary campaign that secured a Democratic victory [1].
Early Activism Led to Imprisonment Under Authoritarian Regimes As a sociology student at Seoul National University, Lee joined the 1974 nationwide protests against President Park Chung‑hee, resulting in nearly a year of incarceration [1]. In 1980 he was tried for involvement in a pro‑democracy insurrection linked to Kim Dae‑jung, receiving a ten‑year sentence, of which he served part before a 1982 special pardon [1]. During the trial he vowed to “fight with my life until this land is democratized,” cementing his reputation as a democracy stalwart [1].
Education Reforms Introduced Standardized School Placement System Appointed the first education minister in Kim Dae‑jung’s administration, Lee overhauled high‑school admissions by creating a standardized assignment system based on student preference, residence, and balanced criteria [1]. The reform shifted emphasis away from sole reliance on exam scores, a change credited with “normalizing” South Korean school education [1]. The policy remains a cornerstone of the country’s education framework.
Recent Appointment to Peaceful Unification Advisory Council In October 2025, Lee was named senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, advising the Lee Jae Myung administration on North Korea‑related and reunification policies [1]. He held the post until his death, indicating his continued involvement in shaping South Korea’s long‑term strategic direction [1].
Timeline
1974 – Lee Hae‑chan, then a sociology student at Seoul National University, joins nationwide protests against President Park Chung‑hee’s authoritarian rule; the demonstrations lead to his near‑year imprisonment, marking the start of his lifelong democratic activism[1].
1974 – North Korean spy Moon Se‑gwang is executed for assassinating First Lady Yook Young‑su, underscoring the volatile political climate that fuels student dissent in South Korea[2].
Oct 26 1979 – KCIA chief Kim Jae‑kyu and six others receive death sentences for murdering President Park Chung‑hee, an event that precipitates the 1980 pro‑democracy uprising and shapes the environment in which Lee later confronts the Chun Doo‑hwan regime[2].
1980 – Lee is tried for his role in a 1980 insurrection case linked to former President Kim Dae‑jung; he declares he will “fight with my life until this land is democratized,” receives a ten‑year prison term, serves part of it, and is pardoned in 1982, after which he helps draft the constitutional amendment introducing direct presidential elections[1].
1997 – Presidents Chun Doo‑hwan and Roh Tae‑woo receive special pardons, reflecting a national move toward reconciliation that later enables former activists like Lee to assume senior governmental roles[2].
1998 – As the first education minister under President Kim Dae‑jung, Lee expands a standardized high‑school placement system that balances student preference, residence, and equity, a reform credited with “normalizing” South Korean school education[1].
2002 – Opposition leader Lee Hoi‑chang announces his retirement from politics, signaling a shift in the conservative landscape that opens space for Democratic Party figures such as Lee Hae‑chan to rise[2].
2004 – Lee serves as Prime Minister under President Roh Moo‑hyun, a partnership described as a “match made in heaven,” reinforcing his status as a senior statesman within the liberal camp[1].
2008 – South Korea completes its four‑year troop withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of a major overseas deployment and reflecting the nation’s broader focus on domestic political reforms championed by leaders like Lee[2].
Dec 17 2011 – South Korea expresses sympathy for North Korea after Kim Jong‑il’s death but sends no official delegation, illustrating the delicate inter‑Korean relations that Lee later addresses in his unification work[2].
April 2024 – Lee co‑leads the Democratic Party’s parliamentary campaign alongside Lee Jae‑Myung and Kim Boo‑kyum, delivering a decisive victory that restores liberal dominance in the National Assembly[1].
Oct 2025 – Lee is appointed senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, tasked with shaping North Korea‑related and reunification policies for the Lee Jae‑Myung administration[1].
Jan 25 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan dies while on a visit to Vietnam; his death prompts nationwide remembrance of his seven‑term legislative career, his reforms, and his unwavering fight for South Korean democracy[1].