Hae-Chan Lee, Proponent of “20-Year Democratic Party Rule,” Dies at 74 During Vietnam Trip

In 2018, during his tenure as leader of the Democratic Party, Lee unveiled a “20-year Democratic Party rule plan.”

2026-01-25 최영은 인턴기자

[Choice Times=Bo-Sik Choi, Publisher]

Lee Hae-Chan (74), Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council (NUAC) and the figure who once advanced the idea of “more than 20 years of Democratic Party rule,” passed away locally in Vietnam on the 25th while on an overseas trip.

Lee, who served as a political godfather to President Lee Jae-myung, was regarded as the behind-the-scenes kingmaker who orchestrated and steered the Democratic Party from the shadows.

Assessments of Lee Hae-chan will vary sharply depending on political affiliation. One thing is clear, however: as reflected in the “20-year long-term rule” he once advocated, his death underscores the relentless impermanence of power.

In 2018, during his tenure as leader of the Democratic Party, Lee unveiled a “20-year Democratic Party rule plan.” Ironically, he himself did not live for 20 years from the time he made that statement.

The NUAC announced on the day that “the deceased was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and underwent stent insertion surgery, and despite the best efforts of local medical staff, he failed to regain consciousness and passed away at 2:48 p.m. local time on January 25.”

Lee had departed for Ho Chi Minh City on the 22nd to attend a meeting of the NUAC Vietnam Operating Council and was originally scheduled to complete his engagement on the 24th and return to South Korea on the 25th.

However, after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, his health rapidly deteriorated. Abandoning all scheduled activities, he arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on the 23rd to return early to South Korea, where he developed weakened breathing. An ambulance was called, and he was transported to a local hospital emergency room while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Cardiac arrest reportedly occurred during the transfer.

At the hospital, Lee was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and underwent a stent insertion procedure. He remained on mechanical life support for two days.

On the 24th, President Lee Jae-myung dispatched Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Cho Jung-sik to the site. Cho explored options for transferring Lee back to South Korea, but Lee ultimately failed to regain consciousness and passed away.

The NUAC stated that it is “currently discussing procedures for transporting the body to South Korea and funeral arrangements together with the bereaved family and relevant authorities,” adding, “We ask that you pray for the repose of the deceased’s soul and extend warm condolences to the bereaved family.”

Lee Hae-chan was a seven-term lawmaker who served as prime minister during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and as party leader during the Moon Jae-in administration. He assumed the post of Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council on November 3 last year.