Condolences for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died while on a business trip to Vietnam, began around 12:30 p.m. on the 27th. The funeral for the former prime minister will be held as both a state agency funeral and a public funeral through the 31st.
At the memorial room set up at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall for the former prime minister, condolence wreaths from President Lee Jae-myung, former President Moon Jae-in, the wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun, Kwon Yang-sook, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, and Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae were placed. Outside the memorial room, wreaths from Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do, Democratic Party Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae, Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol, and Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho were also brought in.
The Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall, where the former prime minister's memorial altar was prepared, was crowded with reporters and political figures at 2 p.m. that day. President Lee and former President Moon, as well as Kwon, were also said to be planning to pay their respects at the altar that day.
Cho Jung-sik, the presidential office's senior political advisor who is serving as funeral executive committee chair, said, "Before departing for Vietnam, there were cold and flu symptoms, so his wife tried to dissuade him, but he said he had to go because it was an officially scheduled trip promised with the overseas Peaceful Unification Advisory Council organization, and he set out on the business trip," adding, "The former prime minister regarded his role as senior vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council this time as his last public office, and he died in the line of duty after driving himself for public service until the end."
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae served as chief mourners. They personally greeted mourners in a solemn atmosphere. Among political figures, former senior presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho paid his respects. After laying flowers, Woo bowed for a long time before the portrait and shook hands with the chief mourners. Afterward, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryeol, National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok, and others paid their respects.
After paying his respects, Woo told reporters, "As a junior who engaged in politics together in the Democratic movement of the 1980s and in the Democratic Party, I am only filled with grief and shock," adding, "A towering figure has gone, and I hope this person's great intent will continue to be carried on by juniors." He emphasized, "Passing away while engaged in public activities (the Vietnam trip) until the very end feels 'so Lee Hae-chan.'"
The procession of condolences from Democratic Party lawmakers began in earnest at 2:30 p.m. that day, starting with the floor leadership including floor leader Han Byung-do. Together with Han, lawmakers Kim Ki-pyo, Jeon Yong-gi, Cheon Jun-ho, Park Yong-gap, Lee Sang-sik, and Cho In-cheol paid their respects. Around the same time, Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk also visited the former prime minister's memorial altar.
Meeting with reporters, floor leader Han said, "I cannot contain my truly profound sorrow. The former prime minister was like a star of the Democratic Party," adding, "We will work hard to more firmly build a country where South Korea's democracy does not falter."