South Korea Holds State Funeral for Former Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan, Begins Five‑Day Mourning
Updated (8 articles)
Lee Hae‑chan Dies in Vietnam and Is Repatriated Lee suffered cardiac arrest at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital on Jan 25, 2026 and was pronounced dead while on an official visit [1][2][4][5][6][7][8]. His flag‑draped casket was flown back on a Korean Air charter, landing at Incheon International Airport early on Jan 27, where honor guards and senior officials received it [5][6][7][8]. The remains were then transferred to the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital for public tribute [1][2][5].
Five‑Day Funeral Combines Social and Institutional Rites five‑day mourning period was scheduled from Jan 27 to Jan 31, merging a “social funeral” honoring societal contributions with an “institutional funeral” organized by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council [2][4][7][8]. The ceremony was conducted with government honors but, per the family’s wishes, was not initially classified as a state funeral [2][4]. On Jan 31 a state funeral was held in a conference hall on the National Assembly compound, and Lee’s ashes will be interred in Sejong [1].
Top Officials Attend and Deliver Eulogies at State Funeral President Lee Jae Myung, First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik and leaders of multiple parties attended the opening ceremony [1][3]. Prime Minister Kim delivered a eulogy praising Lee’s defense of democracy, while Woo recalled being jailed together in 1982, emphasizing Lee’s historic role [1]. Former President Moon Jae‑in and his wife also paid respects at the funeral home, underscoring Lee’s cross‑administration influence [2].
Lee’s Political Legacy Highlights ‘Kingmaker’ Role and Democratic Advocacy Lee served seven terms in the National Assembly, was prime minister from 2004‑2006, and at death held the senior vice‑president post of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council [1][4][5][6][7][8]. His early activism in the pro‑democracy student movement and later advisory work for four progressive presidents earned him the nickname “kingmaker” [2][4][5][7][8]. Colleagues described him as a “great man of democracy” whose lifelong commitment shaped South Korea’s modern political landscape [1][3].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: South Korea Holds State Funeral for Former Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan – Details the Jan 31 state funeral, attendees, and the five‑day mourning schedule, emphasizing the ceremonial significance and ash interment plan .
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Yonhap: Former Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan Honored in Five‑Day Funeral – Describes the repatriation, memorial altar, incense offering, and clarifies that the funeral, while government‑honored, was not a state funeral per family wishes .
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Yonhap: President Lee Jae Myung to Visit Late Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan’s Funeral Home – Announces the president’s planned visit, outlines the five‑day funeral committee, and highlights Lee’s democratic legacy .
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Yonhap: Lee Hae‑chan’s Death Prompts Five‑Day Government‑Honored Funeral in Seoul – Reports on the repatriation, funeral committee leadership, and the “kingmaker” reputation, noting the combined funeral format .
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Yonhap: Lee Hae‑chan’s Body Returns from Vietnam Ahead of Five‑Day Funeral – Focuses on the airport reception, honor‑guard service, and the hybrid “social” and “institutional” rites planned .
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Yonhap: Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan’s Body Returns From Vietnam Ahead of Five‑Day Funeral – Highlights the flag‑draped casket arrival, PUAC role, and Prime Minister Kim’s chairmanship of the funeral committee .
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Yonhap: Former Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan’s Five‑Day Funeral Set for This Week – Provides schedule details, repatriation logistics, and the extended five‑day period exceeding typical mourning customs .
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Yonhap: Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae‑chan’s Five‑Day Funeral Arranged After Death in Vietnam – Describes Vietnamese cooperation in repatriation, flight timing, and the dual‑format funeral arrangement .
Timeline
1982 – Assembly Speaker Woo Won‑shik recalls being jailed with Lee Hae‑chan and later says Lee’s name “was itself the history of the Republic of Korea’s democracy,” underscoring Lee’s early pro‑democracy activism[1].
2004‑2006 – Lee serves as prime minister under President Roh Moo‑hyun, later earning the nickname “kingmaker” for advising multiple liberal presidents[1].
Nov 13, 2024 – A photo shows President Lee Jae Myung and Lee Hae‑chan launching the Democratic Party’s foreign affairs and unification advisory body, highlighting their long‑standing political partnership[3].
Oct 2025 – Lee assumes the role of executive (senior) vice‑chairperson of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, positioning him at the center of inter‑Korean policy[2][5].
Jan 25, 2026 – Lee Hae‑chan dies of cardiac arrest in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, while on a business trip, ending a seven‑term legislative career and his PUAC service[1][2][8].
Jan 27, 2026 (early) – A Korean Air charter brings Lee’s flag‑draped casket to Incheon International Airport; Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok receives it with an honor‑guard ceremony, marking the start of repatriation[5][6][7].
Jan 27, 2026 (midday) – A memorial altar and wreaths from President Lee Jae Myung, Prime Minister Kim, Speaker Woo, former President Moon Jae‑in and opposition leader Jang Dong‑hyeok are placed at Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral hall[2].
Jan 27, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung announces he will attend the funeral after completing his official duties, signaling high‑level state respect[3].
Jan 27‑31, 2026 – A five‑day funeral combines a “social funeral” honoring societal contributions with an “institutional funeral” organized by a committee chaired by PM Kim, also including DP chairman Jung Chung‑rai and professor Paik Nak‑chung[4][7][8].
Jan 27, 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok leads the funeral committee, offers incense and eulogizes Lee, saying democracy and the nation are “indebted” to him and calling him a “role model”[1].
Jan 27, 2026 – Former President Moon Jae‑in and his wife visit the funeral hall, remaining about 50 minutes to pay respects, reflecting Lee’s cross‑administration influence[2].
Jan 31, 2026, 9 a.m. – A state funeral ceremony begins in the National Assembly conference hall, officially opening a five‑day mourning period attended by President Lee Jae Myung, the first lady, and senior officials[1].
Jan 31, 2026 – Cho Jung‑sik, presidential special adviser and head of the funeral committee, calls Lee “a great man of democracy” and “a politician representing an era,” emphasizing his democratic legacy[1].
Jan 31, 2026 – Woo Won‑shik again recalls Lee’s 1982 imprisonment, stating Lee’s name “was itself the history of the Republic of Korea’s democracy,” reinforcing his historic impact[1].
Post‑funeral (planned) – Lee’s body will be cremated and his ashes placed in Sejong, completing the final rites of the state‑honored ceremony[1].