Funeral in Seoul seen as chance to revive stalled inter-Korean dialogue
Late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, left, shakes hands with Kim Yong-nam, former president of North Korea's Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, during the Asia-Africa summit in Indonesia in this April 23, 2005 file photo. Lee passed away on Sunday during his trip to Vietnam, while Kim died in November 2025. Yonhap
Unification ministry says North has shown no reaction so far regarding Lee Hae-chan's passing
A funeral for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, a key figure in inter-Korean relations, is drawing attention over whether North Korea will send official condolences — a rare move that, if made, could signal a small opening after years of strained ties.
Lee, who was serving as the vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, died Sunday during a trip to Vietnam. He was 73.
His body is scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday and will be transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, where funeral services will be held.
The funeral will be held over five days as a “social funeral,” jointly organized by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council — a designation reserved for figures who made significant contributions to the state and society.
For Seoul, a condolence message from Pyongyang would serve as a key diplomatic barometer. As one of the chief architects of the Sunshine Policy of rapprochement with the North, Lee was a central figure in inter-Korean relations, and a formal gesture from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would signal a long-sought thaw after years of stalled dialogue between the two Koreas.
“There has been no indication of reactions so far from the North regarding the passing of vice chair Lee Hae-chan,” unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho said Monday.
“We will continue to monitor the situation without making any assumptions,” Yoon added, noting that in the past Pyongyang has sent condolence messages and, in some cases, dispatched representatives in person.
The most recent instance of North Korea officially conveying condolences over the death of a South Korean figure was in June 2019, following the death of Lee Hee-ho, the wife of former President Kim Dae-jung. At the time, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong-un, delivered a condolence message and wreath at the peace village of Panmunjeom.
A towering figure in South Korea's liberal bloc, Lee Hae-chan was widely regarded as a bridge-builder in inter-Korean relations during successive liberal administrations.
He visited Pyongyang in June 2000 as a special aide to then-President Kim Dae-jung for the landmark inter-Korean summit.
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, delivers a wreath to South Korean officials mourning the death of Lee Hee-ho, the wife of former President Kim Dae-jung, at the inter-Korean village of Panmunjeom, June 12, 2019. Courtesy of Ministry of Unification
In March 2007, during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Lee traveled to Pyongyang for a four-day visit as a presidential adviser for political affairs, meeting with Kim Yong-nam, then-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. That visit has often been cited as a preparatory step for the second inter-Korean summit held later that year.
Lee visited Pyongyang again in 2018 as chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation to attend a joint event marking the 11th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Declaration.
While serving as vice chair of the unification council, Lee issued a condolence message following the death of Kim Yong-nam in November 2025, citing their past meetings and expressing hope for renewed dialogue between the two Koreas. Pyongyang did not respond.
Despite Lee's long-standing ties with the North, it remains unclear whether Pyongyang will issue condolences, as inter-Korean relations remain deeply strained.
Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the likelihood of a similar gesture this time remains low.
“If inter-Korean relations were smooth, it would be natural to offer condolences for the deceased, but that is not the case in the current situation,” Yang said. “Also, considering that North Korea showed no response when the South expressed condolences over the death of Kim Yong-nam, the likelihood of sending a condolence message under the present circumstances is low.”