Marking the 20th anniversary of the death of a Good Samaritan from South Korea in Tokyo, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said he will make efforts to nurture Seoul-Tokyo ties upholding the late Lee's wishes.

In a post remembering Lee Soo-hyun on social media, Chung said Lee moved the hearts of both nations with his act of sacrifice. And while the pandemic has prevented a memorial service, Chung stressed that even a raging epidemic can't quell Lee’s noble spirit.

Lee died in 2001 while trying to rescue a drunk Japanese man who had fallen onto the subway tracks in downtown Tokyo.

The anniversary was marked as the two countries have been at loggerheads over South Korean court rulings on Japanese wartime atrocities. 

A ceremony paying tribute to Lee is set to be held in Tokyo on Tuesday.