Condolences for World Health Chief Lee

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold the funeral of its late Director-General Lee Jong-wook today in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lee’s family, including his wife Reiko Kaburaki, decided to have a Catholic funeral after discussing it with the WHO on May 22. The funeral will be held at Cathedral Notre Dame near Cornavin in Geneva.

Lee was baptized on May 21 when he lost consciousness, according to a request by his Catholic wife. Choi Hyuk, Korean ambassador to Geneva, said Lee’s family agreed to cremate Lee’s body after the funeral and send the ashes to Seoul.

Calls of condolence from many countries and prominent figures continued until the late hours on May 22.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who met with Lee twice and praised him as a “good man,” said in a statement that he and First Lady Laura Bush are saddened by the news of Lee’s death.

Bush also expressed his condolences by saying, “Dr. Lee has exercised remarkable leadership in the international community to deal with the challenges of the 21st Century, including avian influenza.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao offered his condolences in a statement, saying, “With Lee passing away, the WHO lost a prominent leader and China also lost a true friend.”

Lee Chul, North Korean ambassador to Geneva, wrote in a memorial address book which was placed beside the large conference room in the United Nations office in Geneva in which the WHO general assembly is held.

Lee wrote, “Lee’s achievements for people’s health and welfare will be praised not only by us but also by later generations, not only today but also tomorrow.”

Dong-Keun Keum gold@donga.com