Sri Lanka, Jan. 26 -- South Korean former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, a veteran politician and influential fixture on the country's road to democracy, died during an official visit to Vietnam's southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City, both governments said.

Lee, 73 died on Sunday, after emergency medical aid for a heart attack, a South Korean presidential advisory panel said in a statement.

"The country has lost a great mentor in the history of our democracy," President Lee Jae Myung said. "He dedicated his life to protecting and growing democratic values through our turbulent modern history."

Lee spearheaded government reform as prime minister from 2004 to 2006. The seven-term former member of parliament had started out as a student activi...