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Former PM Lee Hae-chan dies during Vietnam trip
Lee Hae-chan, then standing co-chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's general election campaign committee, visits a polling station in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District for the election in this April 2024 photo. Yonhap
By Ko Dong-hwan
Korea's former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan died on Sunday during his visit to Vietnam where he was to join a regional plenary meeting of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC). He was 73.
PUAC, a presidential advisory group, said on Sunday that Lee, the organization’s senior vice president, died two days after being taken to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. He was diagnosed with myocardial infarction at the hospital and received a stent operation but could not recover.
Lee reportedly complained of flu-like symptoms before his departure to Vietnam and decided to return home one day after since his condition didn't improve. While waiting for his return flight at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, he experienced shortness of breath and was transported to the hospital.
He reportedly suffered cardiac arrest twice, once during the transfer and again at the hospital.
Lee, a former seven-term lawmaker, served as prime minister from 2004 to 2006 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. He was appointed as senior vice chairperson of the PUAC in October last year.
His political career began in the 1970s with his participation in the pro-democratic movement under dictator Park Chung-hee. In 1988, he was elected to the National Assembly, where he served seven terms altogether. He also served as education minister during the Kim Dae-jung administration.
He maintained good ties with all four liberal presidents — Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in and President Lee Jae Myung — and acted as an adviser to them, earning a reputation as a "kingmaker."
The news of Lee’s health issue prompted President Lee to send Cho Jung-sik, the special presidential adviser for political affairs, to the city to attend the matter. Four lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea who had personal ties with Lee also flew to Vietnam.
His remains are expected to return to Korea on Tuesday.