South Korea's ruling party honors former PM Lee Hae-chan ahead of local elections

The 49th-day memorial (49재) for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was held in Seoul on the 14th, with Kim Hye-kyong, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, attending on the president’s behalf alongside senior figures from the ruling Democratic Party.

The ceremony took place at Won Buddhism’s So-taesan Memorial Hall, known for its grand hall in Dongjak District. The 49재 for the late politician had previously been held in January at the Hangang Buddhist Church in Heukseok-dong.

Attending from the Blue House were Senior Political Affairs Secretary Hong Ik-pyo, Political Secretary Jeong Eul-oh, Deputy Chief of Staff Oh Sang-ho, and Spokesperson An Gwi-ryeong. From the Democratic Party, leaders including Jeong Cheong-rae and Han Byung-do, as well as lawmakers Jo Jung-sik, Chu Mi-ae, Kim Young-jin, Lee Hae-sik, and Kim Young-bae, were present.

In his memorial address, Jeong Cheong-rae said he would follow the elder leader’s path as the party’s junior leader, citing the 2020 general election victory that gave the DP 180 seats and pledging to carry that mandate into the upcoming local elections on June 3.

Jeong Cheong-rae also recalled a remark the late prime minister made after his August inauguration as party leader, warning that “insurrection-related forces” still lurked and that the party must stay vigilant.

Photos from the event show Jeong Cheong-rae and Han Byung-do conversing as they attended the ceremony together.

Youth-campaign veteran Yoo Si-min offered remarks noting that the late public figure chose a life of public service dedicated to the nation and its people, and he expressed a wish for the departed to rest in peace, perhaps sharing memories with former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

Kim Hye-kyong, the president’s wife, paid respects at the late prime minister’s altar and watched memorial videos with the bereaved family, frequently wiping away tears.

For international readers, the event offers insight into South Korea’s political culture and leadership dynamics as the ruling party seeks to project continuity and strength ahead of local elections. It highlights how Seoul’s political elite honor past leaders, coordinate with the presidential office, and frame policy direction that can affect security alignment, economic policy, and technology and supply-chain decisions that matter to the United States and American markets.