In a shocking turn of events, South Korea’s former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan has passed away at the age of 73 while in Vietnam. The news, confirmed by officials from the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), has sent ripples through political circles in Seoul.
Lee suffered a cardiac arrest in Ho Chi Minh City’s General Hospital around 2:48 PM local time on Sunday. According to reports, he had been experiencing flu-like symptoms before departing for Vietnam on Thursday. His condition worsened rapidly, prompting plans to return home on Friday.
While waiting for his flight at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Lee began struggling to breathe. Rushed to the hospital, he suffered a heart attack en route. Doctors inserted a stent in a desperate bid to save him, but he succumbed shortly after.
A seven-term lawmaker, Lee served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006 under President Roh Moo-hyun’s administration. Last October, he was appointed as Senior Vice Chairman of the PUAC, a role he held until his untimely death.
President Yoon Suk-yeol was briefed late Friday night about Lee’s deteriorating health. In response, he dispatched his senior political advisor, Cho Jung-sik, to Vietnam on Saturday. Cho arrived at the hospital where Lee was being treated, joining a stream of high-ranking officials who began visiting from the previous day.
Lee’s death marks a significant loss for South Korean politics. Tributes are pouring in, highlighting his decades-long dedication to public service and unification efforts. The nation mourns the passing of a seasoned leader whose influence shaped key moments in its modern history.