On the 25th, after news broke of the passing of Lee Hae-chan, senior vice chair of The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) and former prime minister, condolences poured in from across the political spectrum.
Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "My heart collapses at the sad news that former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan has passed away," and added, "I pray for the repose of Democratic Party senior adviser Lee Hae-chan, who devoted his life to the democracy of the Republic of Korea."
Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, also said, "Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan devoted his life to restoring and defending the democracy of the Republic of Korea," and added, "Now lay down the heavy burden and rest in peace. As you taught us, I will live remembering the footprints you left behind." Song Young-gil, leader of the Pine Tree Party, said, "I received the heartbreaking news that former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan has passed away," and added, "Countless years we fought together for democracy flash by. I pray for his repose."
Former President Moon Jae-in also said, "From the pro-democracy movement in the activist community to successive democratic administrations, he always stood at the center and devoted his life to democracy and the nation," and added, "As a longtime comrade and a reliable partner in governing, I will treasure the times we spent together."
Choi Min-hee, a Democratic Party lawmaker close to the senior vice chair Lee, wrote, "Prime minister, who devoted your life to democratization and democratic administrations, please shake off all burdens and rest in peace. I was grateful and truly love you."
Rep. Kim Nam-hee said, "When I was a civic group activist, I met him while preparing a forum on revising the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, and despite his long political career, I was impressed by how he examined even the finer points of contention. He worked for the development of the Democratic Party and devoted himself until the very end." Rep. Lee So-young also said, "In the 2020 general election, the person who recruited me was Lee Hae-chan, then the party leader," and added, "Setting aside all those considered close to you and nominating me, who had no prior acquaintance, in Uiwang–Gwacheon, you told me, 'You have good intentions, so try devoting yourself to public service.' I remember that brief conversation. For me, just starting out in politics, the words he said are engraved in my mind."
Park Hae-chul, the Democratic Party's senior spokesperson, issued a commentary saying, "Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan endured the times at the forefront of the pro-democracy movement against dictatorship and devoted his life to establishing democratic governments and growing democratic parties. He was a living witness to and a towering figure of Korean democracy," and added, "The conviction for democracy, the belief in popular sovereignty, and the philosophy on the responsibilities of a democratic government that former Prime Minister Lee left behind will continue to live on in the hearts of the people."
Condolences also came from the conservative camp. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, said, "I express my deepest condolences at the sudden passing of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan," and added, "He fulfilled his duties over many years in the political arena of the Republic of Korea, serving seven terms as a lawmaker and as prime minister."
Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, also said, "I express my deepest condolences at the news of the passing of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan," and added, "Having shouldered one pillar of Korean politics, I will remember, together with the people, the footsteps of the deceased, who did his utmost for the nation and the people."