22 May 2006 -- Dr LEE Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization, has died. He had been in hospital since Saturday afternoon, where he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain (a subdural hematoma). He remained in intensive care. At 0743 this morning, he was declared dead.

All of the staff of the World Health Organization extend their most sincere condolences to Dr Lee′s family. The sudden loss of our leader, colleague and friend, is devastating.

Dr Lee led WHO to continue its mission to help people attain the highest possible level of health.

He was 61 years old. He is survived by his wife and son, two brothers and a sister and their families.