(LEAD) Ruling party lawmakers mourn death of ex-PM Lee Hae-chan

▲ Rep. Jung Chung-rae (4th from R), leader of the ruling Democratic Party, and other party officials bow their heads to mourn the death of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Rep. Jung Chung-rae (3rd from R), leader of the ruling Democratic Party, and other party officials bow their heads to mourn the death of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) DP leader-late ex-PM

(LEAD) Ruling party lawmakers mourn death of ex-PM Lee Hae-chan

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SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) mourned the death of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan on Monday, refraining from clashing over a proposed merger with a minor opposition party and other contentious issues.

Lee, who was appointed in October as senior vice chairperson of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council to support the North Korea and unification policies of the current administration, died Sunday at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after suffering cardiac arrest.

DP lawmakers, who had been divided over the party's push to merge with the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of the June 3 local elections, instead focused on paying their respects to the former prime minister this day.

The party's Supreme Council meeting, initially scheduled to take place on the southern resort island of Jeju, was held at the National Assembly in consideration of Lee's death.

DP leader Jung Chung-rae expressed his condolences at the meeting, vowing to carry on Lee's legacy for the nation's democratization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"The DP will never forget Lee's lifelong commitment to democracy, human rights and peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said. "We will not neglect the unfinished tasks he left behind, and will carry forward with unwavering reforms and efforts to open the path toward peace on the Korean Peninsula."

"A symbol of South Korea's democratization and a towering figure for the DP has passed away," Jung added, stressing that Lee served as a "compass" for the party and a "spiritual pillar" of the pro-democracy movement resisting authoritarian rule in the 1970-80s.

DP floor leader Han Byung-do also praised Lee's role in helping "transform the party into one widely supported by the public," saying the DP will "never forget" his journey toward democracy.

Lawmakers who had clashed with Jung over the party merger, including Rep. Lee Un-ju, also expressed their condolences in a somber mood and refrained from addressing the merger.

The DP has designated this week as a period of mourning for Lee, whose funeral will be held for five days from Jan. 27-31.

Lee arrived in the Vietnamese city Thursday but collapsed Friday while preparing to return home after his flu-like symptoms worsened.

He was taken to a nearby hospital and underwent a stent insertion procedure but later died.

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