closest allies to North Korea, China and the Soviet Union. When President Roh Tae-woo took office in 1988, he used Nordpolitik as a foreign policy toward the communist bloc. Death In 1983, ahead of a trip to six countries in Southwest Asia and Oceania by President Chun Doo-hwan and First Lady Lee Soon-ja, he opposed going to Burma before India. However, the suggestion was ignored. In the end, Lee Beom-seok went to Burma with Chun Doo-hwan. On October 9, Lee was part of the presidential staff who assembled early at Martyrs' Mausoleum, when one of three bombs concealed in the roof by North Korean agents exploded. The huge blast ripped through the crowd below, killing 21 people and wounding 46 others. Fourteen South Korean ministers including Lee, presidential advisers, journalists, and security officials were killed. Four Burmese nationals, including three journalists, were also among the dead. President Chun was saved because his car had been delayed in traffic and was only minutes from arriving at the memorial. Lee is buried at Seoul National Cemetery. Personal life Lee was married to Lee Jeong-suk, with whom he had four daughters and one son. References 1925 births 1983 deaths Government ministers of South Korea Assassinated South Korean politicians People murdered in Myanmar South Korean people murdered abroad South Korean terrorism victims South Korean diplomats Deaths by explosive device Korea University alumni George Washington University alumni Hosei University alumni Foreign ministers of South Korea Ambassadors of South Korea to India 1983 murders in Myanmar Burials at Seoul National Cemetery Chiefs of Staff to the President of South Korea