Lee was selected in Guus Hiddink's squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup as the first-choice goalkeeper after the rivalry against Kim Byung-ji. He appeared all seven matches until the third place play-off, and kept three clean sheets against Poland, Portugal and Spain in the tournament. He made South Korean football history against Spain in the quarter-final, which ended in a draw and went to penalties. Lee blocked Spain's fourth shot, taken by Joaquín and South Korea defeated Spain 5–3 in the shoot-out, becoming the first Asian team ever to advance to the World Cup semi-finals. South Korea finished fourth place in the tournament.