Lee Hong-koo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Lee Hong-koo
이홍구
Lee in 1999
28th Prime Minister of South Korea
In office December 17, 1994 – December 17, 1995
President	Kim Young-sam
Preceded by	Lee Yung-dug
Succeeded by	Lee Soo-sung
South Korean Ambassador to the United States
In office April 28, 1998 – August 1, 2000
President	Kim Dae-jung
Preceded by	Park Kun-woo
Succeeded by	Yang Sung-chul
Personal details
Born	(1934-05-09)May 9, 1934 Keiki Province, Korea, Empire of Japan
Died	May 5, 2026(2026-05-05) (aged 91)
Alma mater	Emory University (BA) Yale University (MA, PhD)

Lee Hong-koo (born May 9, 1934, died May 5, 2026) was an important figure in South Korea. He was a smart scholar and a dedicated politician. He served as the prime minister of South Korea from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Lee also worked as South Korea's ambassador to both the United Kingdom and the United States. Later, he helped start the East Asia Institute, a research center in Seoul.

Early Life and School Days

Lee Hong-koo came from the Jeonju Yi clan, a very old and important family in Korea. This family ruled Korea for many centuries, from 1392 to 1910. Lee Hong-koo was born on May 9, 1934, in a place that is now part of Seoul, during a time when Korea was under Japanese rule. He grew up in Seoul and went to Gyeonggi High School, a well-known school. In 1953, he started studying law at Seoul National University, but he left after a year.

Learning and Teaching

Studying in America

In 1955, Lee Hong-koo moved to the United States to study at Emory University. He focused on political science, which is the study of how governments work. He graduated in 1959. He then continued his studies at Yale University, earning two more advanced degrees in political science by 1968. For a few years, he also taught at Emory University. Later, in the 1970s, he spent time at important research centers like the Woodrow Wilson International Center and Harvard Law School. Emory University gave him a special honorary degree in 1978.

Teaching in Korea

Around 1968, Mr. Lee came back to Korea. He became a professor of political science at Seoul National University, which is one of the best universities in the country. He taught there for many years, sharing his knowledge with students until he started working for the government in 1988.

A Career in Politics

After teaching for 33 years, Lee Hong-koo began a new path in government. In 1988, President Roh Tae-Woo chose him to be the Unification Minister. This role involved working on ways to bring North and South Korea closer together.

In 1991, President Roh Tae-Woo also appointed him as South Korea's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. An ambassador represents their country in another nation. From 1994 to 1995, Lee Hong-koo became the 28th prime minister of South Korea under President Kim Young-Sam. In South Korea, the president has the most power, and the prime minister helps lead the government. At this time, Mr. Lee did not belong to any political party.

Joining the New Korea Party

In 1996, President Kim Young-Sam suggested that Lee Hong-koo join the New Korea Party. Mr. Lee agreed and became a candidate for this party in the upcoming elections for the National Assembly. The National Assembly is like the parliament or congress of South Korea, where laws are made.

The New Korea Party was a large political group formed by different parties coming together. In the April 1996 election, Lee Hong-koo was elected as a member of the National Assembly. He was placed high on his party's list, which helped ensure his election. His party won many seats in that election.

A Quick Rise in Politics

Mr. Lee quickly became very important in the New Korea Party in 1996. He joined the Executive Committee and then became the leader of the party. Many people thought he might even become the next president after Kim Young-Sam.

Before this, in 1995 and 1996, Lee Hong-koo led the committee that worked to bring the 2002 FIFA World Cup to South Korea. His efforts were successful, and South Korea co-hosted the event with Japan.

In December 1996, he stepped down from his leadership role in the New Korea Party. He remained a member of the party, which was later renamed the Grand National Party. In 1997, after an economic crisis, Kim Dae-Jung from the opposition party won the presidential election.

Serving as Ambassador to the United States

In March 1998, President Kim Dae-Jung chose Lee Hong-koo to be South Korea's South Korean Ambassador to the United States. This was a special choice because Mr. Lee had been a leader in the previous government's party. This showed that the new government wanted to work together with people from different political groups on foreign policy.

Lee Hong-koo served as the South Korean Ambassador to the United States for about two and a half years, from May 1998 to August 2000. During this time, President Kim Dae-Jung was working on the "Sunshine Policy" to improve relations between North and South Korea. This policy was so important that President Kim Dae-Jung later won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Life After Politics

Lee Hong-koo spent 12 years working in government and diplomacy, from 1988 to 2000. After leaving public office in 2000, he continued to be active in other ways. He wrote articles for newspapers and joined important groups that study global issues. He became a member of the Club of Madrid, which includes many former world leaders. He also served on the board of the Seoul Forum.

Starting the East Asia Institute

In May 2002, Lee Hong-koo started his own research center called the East Asia Institute (EAI). This institute is a non-profit organization in Seoul that studies politics and foreign policy. It became very well-known, often ranking among the top research centers globally. Mr. Lee was the Chairman of the Board at EAI for ten years, stepping down in May 2012 when he turned 78.

Passing Away

Lee Hong-koo passed away on May 5, 2026, at the age of 91.

See also

In Spanish: Lee Hong-koo para niños