‘MB’s older brother’ Lee Sang-deuk, six-term lawmaker and former vice-speaker of the National Assembly, passes away |

Entered politics after becoming a professional manager
A ‘crisis management expert’ who held important positions within the party.
He also served as a special envoy for resource diplomacy during the MB government.

Former Vice Speaker of the National Assembly Lee Sang-deuk passed away on the 23rd. Age 89. Former Vice Chairman Lee is the older brother of former President Lee Myung-bak.

Born in Osaka, Japan in 1935, the deceased returned to Korea with his family after liberation and graduated from Dongji Commercial High School in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Afterwards, he entered the 14th Military Academy, but dropped out due to an injury and graduated from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University’s College of Commerce. After graduating from college, the deceased joined Kolon in the first round of public recruitment in 1961 and served as CEO of Kolon and Kolon Trading Company, where he was evaluated as a professional manager who laid the foundation for the textile industry.

The deceased, who entered politics in 1988, was a key politician in the conservative party and earned the nickname ‘Mr. Crisis Management’ after serving in major party positions. He was elected for the first time in Yeongil-Ulleung, Gyeongsangbuk-do during the 13th general election in 1988. Afterwards, he was elected to the 18th general election and served as a six-term lawmaker. He served as floor leader, secretary general, policy committee chairman, and supreme council member at the Grand National Party (now the People Power Party). During the second half of the 17th National Assembly, he served as vice-chairman of the National Assembly. Ahead of the 2004 general election, when the Grand National Party was in the greatest crisis due to the backlash from the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun and the investigation into illegal presidential election funds, the idea of ​​a tent company was proposed.

After his younger brother, former President Lee, won the presidential election, he was also called ‘Sangwang (上王)’, meaning ‘everything goes together with the older brother’. He served as a special envoy for resource diplomacy and supported the resource diplomacy of the Lee Myung-bak government, and as president of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary Union, he also played a role in the return of the Joseon royal guinea pig. The deceased, who did not run in the 19th general election, was imprisoned for corruption at a savings bank in 2012 and POSCO in 2019.

It was reported that the deceased had recently been hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital due to a chronic illness. It is said that former President Lee visited the former Vice Chairman two days in a row on the 21st and 22nd and said into his ear, “You must have the will.” Former President Lee met with reporters at the mortuary and shed tears, saying of the deceased, “Regardless of blood relations, he worked hard for the country.” The mourners continued to visit the mortuary. Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, former National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae, and People Power Party Rep. Kwon Seong-dong and Yoon Han-hong paid condolences.

Survivors include his wife Choi Choi-ja, son Ji-hyeong, daughter Seong-eun Ji-eun, son-in-law Koo Bon-cheon Oh Jeong-seok, and daughter-in-law Jo Jae-hee. The funeral was held at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, and the funeral took place at 6:30 a.m. on the 26th.