The Democratic Party of Korea on the 25th designated the funeral period of the late Lee Hae-chan, former prime minister and senior vice chair of The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), as a party-level mourning period.
The party said in a notice to the media that it will "focus on mourning except for essential party duties during the mourning period."
The party plans to set up memorial altars for the senior vice chair in each city and provincial chapter so party members and citizens can pay their respects. The party will also hang memorial banners for the deceased at regional committees nationwide.
Party leadership plans to personally receive the funeral procession arriving at Incheon Airport on the morning of the 27th. Party leader Jung Chung-rae will remain on site to personally greet mourners as soon as the memorial altar for the senior vice chair is prepared.
The party explained that it "plans to discuss the specific funeral procedures with The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety."
It added, "We express deep condolences together with all party members on the passing of Lee Hae-chan, a symbol of the pro-democracy movement and a revered elder of the Democratic Party," and "We will not forget a lifetime of dedication to democracy, human rights, and peace on the Korean Peninsula."