Politicians, gov't officials pay respects to late ex-PM Lee Hae-chan
The casket of late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan is transported to a funeral home at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Politicians and government officials on Tuesday mourned the death of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan following his body's return from Vietnam, where he died earlier this week.
The casket containing Lee's body arrived at a funeral home at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, hours after its repatriation aboard a Korean Air flight at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.
Lee, who was serving as executive vice chairperson of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), died at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest.
The funeral service will be held for five days through Saturday with government honors but not as a state funeral, reflecting his family's wishes and his contributions to society.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who heads Lee's funeral committee, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and other senior government officials as well as politicians close to Lee were present at the funeral home to receive the casket.
A former seven-term lawmaker, Lee served as prime minister during the Roh Moo-hyun administration from 2004 to 2006. He was appointed as executive vice chairperson of the PUAC in October last year.
He took part in the pro-democracy movement during South Korea's military regimes, entering politics through student activism and opposition activities.
Lee was known for his close ties with three former liberal presidents -- Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in -- and President Lee Jae Myung -- earning him the nickname "kingmaker" for his role as a political ally and adviser.
A brief memorial service took place at the airport before the casket's arrival at the funeral home, with honor guards transporting it to a hearse.