Lee pays tribute to PM Lee Hae-chan, awards highest civilian decoration
President Lee Jae Myung pays tribute to late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan before a memorial altar at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul’s Jongno District, Tuesday. Next to the altar, a Mugunghwa Medal is displayed, after being presented to the former prime minister posthumously in recognition of his lifelong dedication to democracy and public service. The Mugunghwa Medal, the highest of the five-class Order of Civil Merit, is awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to public welfare and national development. Lee passed away Sunday while visiting Vietnam. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog
President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan on Tuesday and posthumously awarded Korea's highest civilian decoration in recognition of his lifelong dedication to democracy and public service.
President Lee visited the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, where he conferred the Mugunghwa Medal on the late prime minister.
It is the nation's top civilian honor given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national development across various fields.
After laying a wreath at the memorial altar, President Lee greeted and consoled the bereaved family, at times wiping away tears.
Lee Hae-chan, who died Sunday while visiting Vietnam, was a towering figure in Korea's pro-democracy movement. He endured torture and imprisonment during the authoritarian regimes before going on to serve as a seven-term lawmaker and advise multiple liberal presidents.
In October, he was appointed senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council to support the Lee administration's policies on North Korea and inter-Korean relations.
Following news of his death Sunday, President Lee expressed deep condolences and praised the late former prime minister's lifelong dedication to democracy.
A funeral committee comprising representatives from various fields, led by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, arranged a memorial service for Lee in consideration of his status as a public figure and his contributions to the country. The five-day service will be held through Saturday.