Lee Sang-deuk, an elder brother of former President Lee Myung-bak and a former National Assembly vice speaker, died Wednesday after a battle with a chronic illness, his acquaintances said. He was 89 years old.

Lee had been suffering from a chronic disease and was hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital when he died, his acquaintances told Yonhap News Agency over the phone.

His memorial alter was set up at Asan Medical Center in southeastern Seoul.

After first joining the legislature in 1988, he served six parliamentary terms and as vice speaker from 2006-2008.

He was considered to be a pivotal figure in Lee Myung-bak’s election as president and one of the most influential figures during his brother’s presidency.

In 2012, the elder Lee was convicted of receiving around 750 million won (US$542,731) from two troubled savings banks and a local company and was sentenced to a prison term of one year and two months.

It was the first time in Korean history that a brother of a sitting president had be
en criminally convicted.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Source: Yonhap News Agency