▲ The casket of late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan is transported to a funeral home at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul on Jan. 27, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
▲ The casket of late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan is transported to a funeral home at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul on Jan. 27, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
▲ The casket of late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan is transported from a chartered aircraft, which repatriated his remains from Vietnam, at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) late ex-PM-funeral

(2nd LD) Politicians, gov't officials pay respects to late ex-PM Lee Hae-chan

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SEOUL/YEONGJONGDO, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- Politicians and government officials on Tuesday mourned the death of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan following his body's return from Vietnam, where he died earlier this week.

The casket containing Lee's body arrived at a funeral home at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, hours after its repatriation aboard a Korean Air flight at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.

Lee, who was serving as executive vice chairperson of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), died at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest.

The funeral service will be held for five days through Saturday with government honors but not as a state funeral, reflecting his family's wishes and his contributions to society.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who heads Lee's funeral committee, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and other senior government officials as well as politicians close to Lee were present at the funeral home to receive the casket.

A former seven-term lawmaker, Lee served as prime minister during the Roh Moo-hyun administration from 2004 to 2006. He was appointed as executive vice chairperson of the PUAC in October last year.

He took part in the pro-democracy movement during South Korea's military regimes, entering politics through student activism and opposition activities.

Lee was known for his close ties with three former liberal presidents -- Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in -- and President Lee Jae Myung -- earning him the nickname "kingmaker" for his role as a political ally and adviser.

A brief memorial service took place at the airport before the casket's arrival at the funeral home, with honor guards transporting it to a hearse.


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