1974 – Lee Hae‑chan joins nationwide student protests against President Park Chung‑hee, spends almost a year in prison, and begins his lifelong pro‑democracy activism [15].

1980 – Lee Hae‑chan receives a ten‑year sentence for his role in a 1980 insurrection trial, declares he will “fight with my life until this land is democratized,” and later obtains a special pardon in 1982, cementing his reputation as a steadfast democrat [15].

1998 – Lee Hae‑chan serves as education minister under President Kim Dae‑jung and expands a standardized school‑placement system, a reform credited with “normalizing” Korean education [15].

2004‑2006 – Lee Hae‑chan holds the prime ministership under President Roh Moo‑hyun, earning the nickname “kingmaker” for his close ties to progressive presidents [15].

2024 – Lee Hae‑chan co‑leads the Democratic Party’s parliamentary campaign with Lee Jae‑Myung and Kim Boo‑kyum, securing a victory that underscores his continued influence in Korean politics [15].

Oct 2025 – Lee Hae‑chan assumes the role of senior vice‑president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, positioning him to shape the Lee administration’s North‑Korea and reunification policies [15].

Dec 10 2025 – President Lee Jae‑Myung posts on Facebook praising Kim Dae‑jung’s democracy legacy, noting his Nobel Peace Prize and “peaceful transfer” as a foundation for Korea’s resilience after the December martial‑law crisis [30].

Dec 18 2025 – President Lee orders talks with China on repatriating the remains of independence fighters such as Ahn Jung‑geun, says “consultations with China are essential,” and hints at a forthcoming summit with President Xi Jinping to advance the agenda [29].

Jan 6 2026 – President Lee announces a visit to Shanghai’s former Provisional Government headquarters to mark the centenary of its founding and Kim Koo’s 150th birth anniversary, linking the historic stop to economic diplomacy at the Korea‑China Venture and Startup Summit [26].

Jan 7 2026 – President Lee visits the Shanghai headquarters, honors Kim Koo, and asks China to help preserve historic sites and recover independence fighters’ remains, framing the appeal as “reciprocal cooperation” [24].

Jan 8 2026 – President Lee tours Lu Xun Park, the 1932 Yun Bong‑gil bombing site, declares the act “a declaration of his country’s sovereignty,” and calls for “politics of respect rather than the logic of force” [23].

Jan 8 2026 – Veterans Minister Kwon Oh‑eul inspects Shanghai independence sites, vows stronger preservation, and launches a three‑year project to inspect 1,032 overseas sites, emphasizing cooperation with China on the 483 Chinese locations [22].

Jan 24 2026 – Senior presidential adviser Cho Jung‑sik flies to Vietnam to assess former premier Lee Hae‑chan’s health after President Lee orders the dispatch, aiming to report findings and coordinate possible aid [21].

Jan 25 2026 – President Lee Jae‑Myung posts on Facebook, offering “deep condolences” and calling Lee Hae‑chan “a great mentor in the history of democracy” [16].

Jan 25 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan dies of cardiac arrest at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital after flu‑like symptoms and a stent procedure, ending a 73‑year life of activism, legislative service, and senior advisory work [18].

Jan 26 2026 – The Democratic Party suspends its merger debate, holds a Supreme Council meeting in Seoul, and leader Jung Chung‑rae delivers a condolence speech pledging to continue Lee Hae‑chan’s democratic and peace‑building legacy [12].

Jan 27 2026 – President Lee Jae‑Myung visits the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital, confers the Order of Mugunghwa on Lee Hae‑chan, lays a wreath, and wipes away tears while offering personal comfort [5].

Jan 27 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan’s body arrives on a Korean Air flight, lands at Incheon International Airport, and is transferred to the funeral home, beginning a five‑day mourning period [8].

Jan 27 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok chairs the funeral committee, receives the flag‑draped casket, and offers incense, signaling official honors for the former premier [4].

Jan 27‑31 2026 – A five‑day “social funeral” runs at Seoul National University Hospital, blending social and institutional rites to honor Lee Hae‑chan’s societal contributions beyond the usual three‑day protocol [13].

Jan 30 2026 – President Lee thanks Vietnam for “special cooperation and courtesies” in handling Lee Hae‑chan’s posthumous arrangements during a phone call with Prime Minister To Lam, highlighting bilateral goodwill [3].

Jan 30 2026 – President Lee asks Vietnam to cooperate on future nuclear power plants, high‑speed railway, and urban development projects, signaling plans for an expanded strategic partnership [3].

Jan 31 2026 – A state funeral ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the National Assembly conference hall, with President Lee, first lady, and top officials attending; Cho Jung‑sik praises Lee Hae‑chan as “a great man of democracy” [2].

Feb 17 2026 – President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea‑Kyung watch the historical drama “The King’s Warden” at a private Lunar New Year screening, confirming the event after the presidential office’s disclosure [1].

Feb 17 2026 – President Lee posts on X, “The power of Korean culture! I came to watch a movie,” praising domestic media ahead of the film’s release [1].

Feb 17 2026 – Director Jang Hang‑jun dramatizes the final exile of deposed King Danjong in “The King’s Warden,” highlighting a pivotal Joseon‑Dynasty episode [1].

Feb 17 2026 – “The King’s Warden” becomes the first 2026 release to exceed three million tickets sold in a single day, marking a major box‑office milestone [1].

Feb 17 2026 – Cheong Wa Dae publicly confirms the film’s title after President Lee’s social media post, linking the president’s cultural endorsement to official communication [1].