Each sector mourns... 'an unusual state honor' draws attention
A veteran actor and national actor, the late Lee Soon-jae, former member of the National Assembly, died in the early hours of the 25th. He was 90. Amid deep mourning from the public and colleagues, even the president left a direct message of condolence and the government urgently awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan (first class), continuing a 'national honor.' It is being noted that it is rare for cultural and artistic figures to be conferred the highest decoration so quickly, underscoring anew the weight of the legacy he left behind.
#. the president's immediate condolence… "a person who raised the dignity of Korea's culture and arts throughout his life"
At the funeral hall, a large wreath labeled 'President Lee Jae-myung' arrived first that day, and President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Türkiye, mourned directly via social media.
In a statement, the president said, "I express my deep condolences on the passing of national actor Lee Soon-jae." "A person who devoted his life to acting and raised the dignity of Korea's culture and arts." "His expressions and voice are still vivid. Please rest in peace," he said in tribute.
Reactions saying "the state paid its final respects to the national actor" continued, and online opinions spread saying, "It is unusual for the president to mourn directly," and "That much, Lee Soon-jae was an actor for the whole country."
#. government confers 'Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan (first class)' at an unusual speed
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that on the same day Minister Chae Hwi-young personally visited the funeral hall at Asan Medical Center in Seoul to deliver the Order of Cultural Merit, Geumgwan (first class), to the bereaved family. It is the first time in three years that an actor has received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, following Youn Yuh-jung (2021) and Lee Jung-jae (2022).
The ministry explained the reasons for the award as follows: "Since his debut in 1956, he was a senior active actor who spanned theater, drama, film and variety for more than half a century." "He received love across generations for his sincerity toward acting and his humane character in more than 140 works." "He was a cultural and artistic figure who practiced social responsibility through training younger generations and parliamentary activities."
Minister Chae Hwi-young expressed deep condolences, saying, "The footprints he left over seventy years, through laughing and crying with the people, will be remembered for a long time."
It is very unusual to confer the highest cultural medal to an artist on the day of death, and among the public there are evaluations such as, "the state protected Lee Soon-jae until the end," and "truly the respect due to the nation's father."
#. closing an era… but his works and spirit remain
From his debut in 1956 to his final lifetime grand prize in 2024. The late Lee Soon-jae devoted nearly 70 years to 'acting' and to the 'people.' His masterpieces and philosophy are the most solid legacy for younger actors and also the history of Korean drama and theater.
The actor most loved by the people, the artist honored by the state until the end. He will now remain forever in the history of Korea's culture.
Meanwhile, the funeral hall is Room 30 of the Asan Medical Center funeral home in Seoul, the funeral procession will be at 6:20 a.m. on the 27th, and the burial site is Eden Paradise in Icheon.<
[Photo] 'OSEN DB
[OSEN]