SEOUL – Lee Hae-chan, a distinguished former Prime Minister of South Korea and a pivotal figure in the nation’s democratic development, has passed away at the age of 71 while on official duty in Vietnam. The veteran politician, who was serving as Senior Vice President of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), succumbed to complications from an acute myocardial infarction on Sunday afternoon.
The tragic incident occurred during a high-profile diplomatic mission in Ho Chi Minh City, where Lee was participating in a conference of the PUAC’s Asia-Pacific regional committee. According to official reports from Yonhap News Agency, the seven-term lawmaker experienced a sudden medical emergency on January 23rd and was immediately transferred to a local medical facility.
Despite undergoing an emergency stent procedure performed by Vietnamese medical specialists, Lee’s condition failed to improve. He was pronounced deceased at 2:48 PM local time on January 25th, with medical authorities confirming cardiac arrest as the definitive cause of death.
Lee’s political career spanned decades, marked by his significant tenure as Prime Minister under former President Roh Moo-hyun from 2004 to 2006. As a respected elder statesman and democracy movement activist, he remained actively engaged in diplomatic efforts through his role with the PUAC, a presidential advisory body focused on inter-Korean relations and unification policies.
The South Korean government has initiated coordination procedures for repatriating Lee’s remains, while diplomatic channels between Seoul and Hanoi remain actively engaged in managing the aftermath of this unexpected tragedy. The passing of this political luminary has generated profound condolences across South Korea’s political spectrum, with tributes highlighting his enduring commitment to public service and democratic values.