(Seoul, January 31, 2026) — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan on Thursday, visibly emotional as he paid his respects to a political mentor. The display of grief underscores the close relationship between the two figures and Lee Hae-chan’s significant role in supporting Lee Jae-myung’s political career.
President Lee Jae-myung mourned the loss of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan at a funeral ceremony held at the National Assembly Hall, highlighting a key political relationship.
- President Lee Jae-myung openly wept during the funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.
- Lee Hae-chan was a key early supporter of President Lee Jae-myung, offering crucial backing during challenging political times.
- A commemorative video shown at the funeral featured both Lee Hae-chan and President Lee Jae-myung, emphasizing their political alliance.
President Lee Jae-myung attended the funeral ceremony at the National Assembly Hall, shedding tears repeatedly as he expressed his sadness, according to reports. He silently offered condolences as he bid farewell to Lee Hae-chan, who had championed him when he was a relatively unknown figure and provided support during periods of political crisis, the source reported.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, arrived at the funeral hall wearing a black suit and a mourning ribbon. They sat in the front row with the bereaved family as the portrait of the late Prime Minister was carried in. Before Blue House Special Advisor Jo Jung-sik began reading Lee Hae-chan’s biography, President Lee reportedly held the hand of Lee Hae-chan’s wife, Kim Jeong-ok, offering her comfort.
As Democratic Party of Korea leader Chung Cheong-rae and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik delivered eulogies, President Lee bowed his head, appearing lost in thought, the source stated. A commemorative video shown during the ceremony included a clip of Lee Hae-chan, during a 1980 sentencing for involvement in a rebellion plot linked to Kim Dae-jung, stating, “Just as Park Chung-hee came to a miserable end after 18 years, you and Chun Doo-hwan’s group will also fall apart in 10 years.” The video also featured President Lee introducing Lee Hae-chan as “a great adult of our Democratic Party” during a campaign rally in Sejong City last May, and showed images of the two men together, including Lee Hae-chan wearing a campaign uniform with the slogan “Now Lee Jae-myung.”
President Lee and his wife laid flowers before Lee Hae-chan’s portrait in silence, and the President continued to gaze at the portrait for some time afterward. He then followed the funeral procession, quietly observing until the vehicle departed. He reportedly greeted the bereaved family members before they left.
President Lee did not deliver a eulogy at the ceremony but had previously stated on Facebook on January 25th, “Today, the Republic of Korea lost a great teacher in the history of democracy,” and expressed his sadness at the news of Lee Hae-chan’s passing.
Why It Matters
The public display of grief from President Lee Jae-myung is significant given Lee Hae-chan’s role as a political mentor and advocate. Lee Hae-chan’s support was crucial in bolstering Lee Jae-myung’s position within the Democratic Party, particularly during times of internal challenge. The funeral provides a visible demonstration of the continuing influence of Lee Hae-chan’s legacy and the depth of the relationship between the two politicians, potentially shaping future political alignments within the Democratic Party.
Reporter Go Gyeong-ju [email protected]
