President Lee Jae-myung paid his respects at the mourning altar of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died suddenly during a business trip to Vietnam. President Lee personally carried the decoration to be posthumously awarded to the former prime minister and saw him off on his final journey. At the former prime minister's funeral, held as a state-institution and social funeral, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, and Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk volunteered to serve as chief mourners and welcomed visitors themselves.
Around 6:05 p.m. on the 27th, President Lee arrived at the mourning altar for the former prime minister set up at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, laid flowers, and consoled the bereaved family. First lady Kim Hea-kyung also visited the altar. President Lee was accompanied by Office of National Security Director Wi Sung-lac, Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon, and first aide office chief Kim Hyun-ji, among other staff.
◇ President Lee paid respects carrying the "Mugunghwa Medal"… wiped away tears with a handkerchief
President Lee paid respects carrying the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal, to be conferred posthumously to the former prime minister. The Order of Civil Merit is awarded to people who have rendered distinguished service in politics, the economy, society, education, and academia, contributing to improving the public's welfare and the nation's development. Among them, the highest grade is the Mugunghwa Medal. After offering incense, President Lee placed the Mugunghwa Medal to the right of the former prime minister's portrait.
After conferring the Mugunghwa Medal posthumously, President Lee took out a handkerchief, wiped away tears, and shook hands with the bereaved. After the conferment, the first lady also embraced the former prime minister's family to comfort them. The former prime minister's family, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk, writer Ryu Si-min, and presidential political adviser Cho Jeong-sik greeted President Lee at the altar.
Earlier, on the 25th, President Lee said on Facebook, "Korea has lost a great teacher in the history of democracy," and added, "(The former prime minister) devoted a lifetime to upholding and expanding the values of democracy amid a turbulent modern history."
◇ Kim, Jung, and Cho volunteered as chief mourners… seen as a "succession contest"
As the former prime minister's funeral is being held as a state-institution and social funeral, the presence of Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, leader Jung Chung-rae, and leader Cho Kuk, who volunteered as chief mourners, also stood out. Chief funeral committee chair Kim and party joint chief funeral committee chair Jung arrived at the altar immediately, and leader Cho visited the altar that afternoon and took the chief mourner's place. Their taking on the chief mourner role appears to reflect the roles of government and parties, as well as past ties.
Their meeting draws attention because of a series of recent events. Leader Jung and leader Cho have been at odds over a merger of the two parties, while Prime Minister Kim created noise within the ruling bloc by asking to be excluded from a Seoul mayoral poll. That is why some see a subtle war of nerves among them.
There is also the view that, because the former prime minister was the "godfather" of the liberal camp who worked with former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister Kim, leader Jung, and leader Cho are trying to show they are the right successor.
After the former prime minister's death, Prime Minister Kim said, "I feel a deep closeness, as I called him hyungnim," while leader Jung reaffirmed a commitment to reform, saying, "We will carry on the wishes of the deceased." Leader Cho, recalling the so-called "Cho Kuk affair" in 2019, said, "I cannot forget the hand that held me firmly."