The Oldest Working Actor In Korea, Lee Soon Jae, Awarded The Order Of Cultural Merit Posthumously
The late Lee Soon Jae has received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit after his passing. Since the deceased had served as a member of the National Assembly during his life, condolences from political figures are also continuing.
On the 26th of November, at Seoul Asan Medical Center’s funeral home in Songpa-gu, Seoul, in front of the portrait containing Lee Soon Jae’s image from his lifetime, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit bestowed by the government was placed, honoring his achievements.
The government bestowed the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit on the deceased who passed away the previous day, the 25th, and Minister Choi Hwi Young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism delivered the medal to the bereaved family on behalf of the government. Cultural medals are medals awarded to those whose contributions to the development of culture and arts and to the cultural enjoyment of the citizens are clear.
Minister Choi, who directly visited the funeral hall prepared at Seoul Asan Medical Center, said, “Teacher (Lee Soon Jae) embraced theater, film, and broadcasting, and for 70 years always stayed with our people, crying and laughing and sharing conversations with them,” and added, “The footsteps the teacher left behind will be remembered for a very long time,” mourning him.
Condolences from the political sphere are continuing regardless of party. Lee Soon Jae was elected in the 1992 14th general election as the candidate of the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party in Seoul Jungnang-gap constituency, and afterward, as a member of the National Assembly, he served as deputy spokesperson of the Democratic Liberal Party and secretary of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians’ Union, among other roles, meaning he was also part of the political world during his life.
Afterward, as an actor, Lee Soon Jae actively worked and devoted himself to nurturing younger artists. He passed away at dawn on the 25th at the age of 91.
The funeral hall is prepared in Room 30 of the Seoul Asan Medical Center funeral home, and the funeral service will be held strictly at 6:20 a.m. on the 27th. The burial site is Eden Paradise in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Source: (A)
