Seoul: Former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who passed away during a visit to Vietnam, was a key figure in South Korea's journey towards democracy, having endured torture and imprisonment before embarking on a political career that saw him serve seven terms as a lawmaker and advise several liberal presidents. Lee's commitment to democracy began in the 1970s under the authoritarian regime of President Park Chung-hee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee, then a sociology student at Seoul National University, participated in nationwide protests against Park's government in 1974, which led to his imprisonment for nearly a year. His resolve was further highlighted during his trial in 1980 related to an insurrection case involving former President Kim Dae-jung, where he boldly declared his willingness to "fight with my life until this land is democratized." He was sentenced to a 10-year prison term by the military regime of President Chun Doo-hwan, which had brutally suppressed the Gwangju pro-democracy movement.
Lee's imprisonment only strengthened his dedication to the cause, allowing him to connect with other activists, including Kim Dae-jung. After his release in 1982, Lee played a significant role in revising the constitution to introduce a direct presidential election system. He joined the Party for Peace and Democracy and secured a parliamentary seat in Seoul's Gwanak Ward in 1988.
Throughout his political career, Lee held various influential positions, including deputy mayor of Seoul and South Korea's first education minister under President Kim Dae-jung in 1998. As education minister, he was recognized for implementing a standardized system for high school placements, focusing on preference and residence rather than performance.
In the 2002 presidential election, Lee was instrumental in the election of President Roh Moo-hyun, later becoming his second prime minister. Despite losing the presidential primaries in 2007, he continued to play a significant role in South Korean politics, leading the Democratic United Party and representing Sejong in the National Assembly.
Lee's political influence extended to the 2024 parliamentary elections, where he co-led the Democratic Party to victory. Most recently, he was appointed senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, aiding in the unification policies of the Lee Jae Myung administration.