President Lee mourns death of veteran actor Lee Soon-jae

Actor Lee Soon-jae / Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday expressed deep condolences over the death of veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, calling him a "great star" of the Korean arts industry.

"We will long remember him as an actor beloved by all generations and as a true national actor," the president wrote on Facebook.

Lee Soon-jae, who was active in his acting career until late last year, was recognized across generations for his roles spanning dramas, sitcoms and period pieces. He was 91.

"Lee devoted his life to acting and elevated the stature of Korean arts and culture, moving seamlessly between theater, film and television to bring us laughter, emotion, comfort and courage," the president added.

Born in 1934 in Hoeryong in what is now North Korea, Lee Soon-jae moved to Seoul at the age of 4 before the 1950-53 Korean War and began his acting career in 1956. The veteran actor also had a brief political career, being elected as a lawmaker in 1992 of the then ruling Democratic Liberal Party.

Lee Soon-jae dropped out of roles in October last year due to health issues.