Presidential political affairs adviser Cho Jeong-sik said on the 27th that "former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan regarded his role as senior vice chair of the National Unification Advisory Council as his last public office and died in the line of duty after devoting himself to public service until the very end," adding, "President Lee Jae-myung plans to visit the mourning altar today."
Cho met with reporters at the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital, where the former prime minister's mourning altar has been set up, and described the former prime minister's business trip schedule to Vietnam.
Cho said, "This Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council schedule was important as it was the first discussion of the year's business plan for the council's overseas organization, which is organized into 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific," and added, "The former prime minister had cold and flu symptoms even before leaving his home in Sejong, and his wife tried to dissuade him, but he said it was an officially promised schedule and that he had to go, and he departed."
He continued, "After arriving in Ho Chi Minh late on the night of the 22nd, his condition remained poor on the morning of the 23rd, and although his family and staff urged him to return to Korea, he said he would at least handle part of the schedule, but ultimately decided to return midway on the 2:05 p.m. flight."
Cho said, "He lost consciousness in the car just before arriving at the Ho Chi Minh airport terminal and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, but he was already in cardiac arrest when he arrived," adding, "Medical staff did their utmost to treat him, but he ultimately did not regain consciousness and passed away at 2:49 p.m. on the 25th."
Cho said, "We will brief later on the funeral procedures and schedule after internal discussions," adding, "President Lee Jae-myung also plans to visit the mourning altar today."