Lee Hong-koo, the former South Korean prime minister who helped shape Seoul’s early post-Cold War unification strategy and negotiated terms with North Korea for a hopeful inter-Korean summit in 1994, died Tuesday at 92.

Lee’s role in politics was described as a “consensus builder” and he was a central figure across multiple presidential administrations following South Korea’s democratization in 1987. 

Born in 1934, Lee lived through Korea’s most turbulent period in modern times and remained active in public life long after leaving office. 

He held roles in academic, policy and civic organizations, including as chairman of the Seoul