Woo Wonshik: "Lee Haechan's Politics Were About Reality, Not Ideology... A Legacy That Pioneered Democracy Beyond Democracy"
by Na Juseok
Published 31 Jan.2026 10:15(KST)
Updated 31 Jan.2026 11:08(KST)
Speaker Woo Wonshik Pays Tribute to Former Prime Minister Lee Haechan
On January 31, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik stated, "Lee Haechan's politics were not about ideology, but about being present in the field; not about slogans, but about action," adding, "It was an honor to walk that path together."
At the funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Lee Haechan held at the National Assembly that day, Speaker Woo reflected on his experiences with the late Lee during their student activism and when entering politics, as well as on the life Lee had led. Referring to Lee as his senior, Speaker Woo commemorated Lee's dedication to the democratization movement and frontline politics, noting, "He placed people's livelihoods at the center of politics and political parties."
He emphasized, "The late Lee listened to voices from the field and encouraged systematic legislative reforms for people's livelihoods at the party level, rallying capabilities. That effort became an asset that pioneered democracy beyond democracy."
Additionally, Speaker Woo said, "Although it is said that leaving us while fulfilling his calling to lay the foundation for peace and unification was truly characteristic of Lee Haechan until the very end, it is still heartbreaking."
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