Lee Haechan's Funeral Held Amid Tears: "Both Democracy and Korea Owe a Debt to Lee Haechan" (Comprehensive)

President Lee Jaemyung Wipes Away Tears at Funeral, Somber Atmosphere Prevails
Large Turnout of Government and Ruling Party Officials at National Assembly
Burial Scheduled for the Afternoon at Eunhasu Park in Sejong

The funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was held at the National Assembly on January 31. Government officials and members of the Democratic Party of Korea honored the late Lee as a "towering figure of democracy" and "the finest public servant with a public-minded spirit."

The funeral ceremony was solemnly conducted at the National Assembly on this day. The event was attended by President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae, Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and many other government and ruling party officials. President Lee maintained a somber expression throughout the ceremony. During Prime Minister Kim's eulogy, President Lee took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears. After reading his tribute, President Lee laid flowers for the deceased.

President Lee Jae-myung is wiping away tears at the funeral ceremony of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan held on the 31st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Cho Jeong-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs (and a Democratic Party lawmaker), who served as the executive chairman of the funeral committee, presented the biography of the late Lee. After reflecting on Lee's life, Cho said, "The life of former Prime Minister Lee was devoted to the completion of South Korea's democratic system and the building of a democratic national party," and added, "He consistently maintained the attitude of a public servant, fulfilling his responsibilities with sincerity, diligence, and a deep sense of duty. He was a towering figure of democracy and a politician who represented an era."

Kim Minseok: "Both democracy and Korea are indebted to Lee Hae-chan"

Prime Minister Kim began his eulogy by saying, "We are indebted." He expressed gratitude for Lee's achievements during his lifetime, stating, "Both democracy and Korea owe a debt to him." He recalled that "all four democratic governments were protected by Lee Hae-chan, who stood at the forefront and shielded the candidates from criticism," highlighting Lee's role in the birth of democratic administrations. Remembering Lee's role as the head of the election campaign committee during a past Seoul mayoral election, Kim said, "I learned both how to read the flow and how to change it from you, senior." He added, "Every major Democratic Party election over the past 30 years has gone through Lee Hae-chan, and it was a source of pride for me to have run elections under your guidance."

Referring to Lee as "senior," Prime Minister Kim appeared to struggle to hold back tears while reading his eulogy. Reflecting on how he had relied on Lee in the past, Kim lamented, "There is still so much I want to ask, so many decisions to make, but now, who can I turn to for advice, whose judgment can I seek, and whom can I rely on?"

Kim also mentioned that Lee passed away while on an official trip to Vietnam as Executive Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, asking, "Why was it Vietnam?" He continued, "The fact that he collapsed in Vietnam-a country that has experienced division and war, and where the disappointment of the North Korea-U.S. summit still lingers-while fulfilling his final calling for peace on the Korean Peninsula, was a symbolic event in itself."

In addition, Kim noted that President Lee and Mrs. Kim shed tears at the funeral, saying, "I felt guilty for having asked him to serve as Executive Vice Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, which led to his passing away while on official duty far away in Vietnam."

On the 31st, the funeral ceremony with social honors for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was solemnly held. In front of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, the portrait of the deceased was being transferred to the hearse after the funeral ceremony. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Woo Won-shik: "Lee Hae-chan's politics were not about ideology, but about being on the ground"

Speaker Woo praised Lee's political career for being grounded in real-world issues.

He stated, "Lee Hae-chan's politics were not about ideology, but about being present on the ground; not about slogans, but about action. It was an honor to walk that path with him." Addressing Lee as "senior," Woo highlighted Lee's past participation in the pro-democracy movement and his active role at the forefront of politics, noting, "He placed people's livelihoods at the center of politics and the party." Woo added, "By listening to voices on the ground and systematically encouraging and mobilizing efforts within the party to promote reforms for the people's livelihood, his work became an asset that pioneered a democracy beyond democracy."

Woo further remarked, "Lee Hae-chan's politics were not about ideology, but about being on the ground; not about slogans, but about action. Although it is said that he fulfilled his calling to lay the foundation for peace and unification until the very end, and that this was a fitting end for Lee Hae-chan, it is still heartbreaking."

Jung Cheongrae: "The birth of four democratic governments was thanks to Lee Hae-chan, who served as a compass"

Leader Jung introduced Lee's efforts in the process of establishing democratic governments. He said, "Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was the spiritual pillar of the Democratic Party of Korea. It was thanks to his outstanding guidance as the party's compass that we were able to bring about four democratic governments together with Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung."

Jung reflected on Lee's life, saying, "He was a giant who led Korea as a democratic republic." He added, "I am proud to have lived in the same era as former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who was the epitome of righteous politics. He was a strict but warm person, and I will remember Lee Hae-chan, the great pillar of the Democratic Party, for a long time to come."

Prime Minister Minseok is wiping tears at the funeral ceremony of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan held on the 31st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "Remembering former Prime Minister Lee's emphasis on 'truth, sincerity, and earnestness,' we will carry on the spirit of Lee Hae-chan in our pursuit of democracy, peace on the Korean Peninsula, and balanced regional development. We will engrave his passion for democracy, unwavering philosophy for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and firm belief in balanced regional development into the DNA of the Democratic Party and devote ourselves to these causes together."

He added, "Now, in that place, you will meet President Kim Dae-jung and President Roh Moo-hyun. I am sure they will greet you with open arms and a big smile, saying you have worked so hard all this time."

Earlier, at 6:30 a.m., the funeral procession departed from Seoul National University Hospital. About 30 people, including the bereaved family, Prime Minister Kim, Speaker Woo, Leader Jung, Leader Cho, Han Byungdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, and Special Advisor Cho, attended the send-off.

After the funeral ceremony, a ritual will be held at the office of the National Unification Advisory Council and then at the Democratic Party headquarters. After cremation at Seoul Memorial Park in Seocho-dong, the deceased will be taken to his home in Jeondong-myeon, Sejong City. In accordance with his wish to be buried next to his parents, he will be laid to rest at Eunhasu Park in Sejong City at 3:30 p.m.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.