Seoul: Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan has passed away at the age of 73 during a business trip to Vietnam, officials have confirmed. Lee, who was a senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), suffered cardiac arrest and died at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee had been experiencing flu-like symptoms before his departure to Vietnam on Thursday and was planning to return to South Korea on Friday after his condition worsened. He was taken to an emergency room following shortness of breath at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. During his transfer to the hospital, he suffered cardiac arrest twice and underwent a stent insertion procedure but ultimately succumbed.

The PUAC announced that Lee's remains would be transported back to South Korea, expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday. His body is temporarily being held at a military hospital in Vietnam, and discussions about funeral arrangements are underway with relevant authorities.

Lee was a prominent figure in South Korean politics, having served as a seven-term lawmaker and prime minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration from 2004 to 2006. He was appointed as senior vice chairperson of the PUAC in October of the previous year. Known for his significant contributions to the pro-democracy movement, Lee's political career began through student activism and opposition during South Korea's military regimes.

He entered the National Assembly in 1988 and served as education minister under the Kim Dae-jung administration. As prime minister, he was a trusted aide to President Roh Moo-hyun, known for his role as a "powerful" leader and a key supporter in Moon Jae-in's presidential campaigns. His influence earned him the nickname "kingmaker" among progressive circles.

In the wake of his death, condolences poured in from across the political spectrum in South Korea. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) expressed deep sorrow, with spokesperson Park Soo-hyun describing Lee as a "pillar of South Korea's democracy." DP Chairman Jung Chung-rae highlighted his lifelong dedication to democracy and peace.

Former President Moon Jae-in also paid tribute, remembering Lee as a steadfast partner and comrade in state affairs. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) acknowledged his significant role in politics, with spokesperson Choi Bo-yun marking his journey as a defining chapter in Korea's history.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted Lee's decades-long political path and his devotion to the nation, emphasizing the impact of his political legacy on Korean society.