Lee Jae-myung "Yoon Administration Destroys Democracy... Indefinite Hunger Strike Starting Today"

On the 31st, Lee marks 1st anniversary of inauguration... Declares 'fasting' at press conference
"Starting a popular uprising against the incompetent violent regime"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, targeted the Yoon Seok-yeol administration at a press conference held on the 31st to mark the first anniversary of his party leadership, stating, "With a resolve of life-or-death, I will stop the destruction of democracy," and announced, "As a last resort, I will begin an indefinite fast starting today."

At the press conference held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee said, "Starting today, as one of the people, I will begin a 'people's resistance' against the incompetent and violent regime."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a press conference marking the first anniversary of his party leadership held at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Before starting the conference, he apologized, saying, "First, I want to express my apologies," and added, "The collapse of South Korea and the lives of its people are largely my responsibility." Lee pointed out, "I failed to stop the regressive administration and could not prevent the incompetence and recklessness of the government," and warned, "In 2023, democracy in this land is collapsing."

Lee criticized, "The administration not only failed to resist but even echoed and became an accomplice to Japan's nuclear wastewater dumping terrorism, which threatens the safety and property of the people and infringes on maritime sovereignty," adding, "Fishermen, sashimi restaurants, and those working in the fisheries industry are facing threats to their livelihoods, and the safety of the nation's food supply is a concern, yet the president calls those opposing it 'agitators who exaggerate 1+1 as 100' and says he will 'fight against the people.'"

Regarding the Ministry of National Defense's recent attempt to remove the bust of General Hong Beom-do from the Korea Military Academy campus, he criticized, "They slandered the independence war hero General Hong Beom-do as a communist and declared the removal of his bust. There are rumors that the spot will be taken by someone from the Gando Special Unit who suppressed the independence army," and said, "They have started dividing the people through ideological warfare."

He also mentioned the case of Marine Corporal Chae Mo's death in the line of duty being transferred to civilian police and the recent arrest warrant issued for former Marine Investigation Unit Chief Park Jeong-hoon, who is accused of insubordination. Lee said, "Instead of uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable for the unjust death of someone who answered the nation's call, they are busy covering up the truth," and added, "When suspicions arose that the cover-up was due to the president, an arrest warrant was requested for the investigation chief who refused to conceal the truth."

Lee also sharply criticized the controversy over the 'Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway,' which involves allegations of preferential treatment for President Yoon's in-laws. He said, "The terminus of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway was suddenly changed to the land owned by the president's in-laws, and when suspicions were raised, a national project worth trillions of won was abruptly canceled," and fiercely condemned, "The privatization of power and state affairs manipulation are causing the country to collapse."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a press conference marking the first anniversary of his party leadership held at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the same time, he scolded the Yoon administration for abandoning 'people's livelihood' and being 'incompetent.'

Lee said, "High inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates continue, and economic indicators are all turning red with job shortages, export slumps, and domestic demand declines," adding, "People who spend all their earnings on loan interest and struggle to make a living are groaning everywhere, yet the Yoon administration shifts the national debt burden onto the people."

He also said, "The country has become one that ignores the people as its owners, denies history, divides the people, neglects livelihood issues, and drives everyone into a jungle of survival of the fittest," and questioned, "Is this a country?"

Lee urged President Yoon and the government to "▲apologize to the people for destroying livelihoods and damaging democracy, ▲declare opposition to Japan's nuclear contaminated water discharge and file a case with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and ▲carry out a comprehensive government reform and cabinet reshuffle."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting at the press conference marking the first anniversary of his party leadership held at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He added, "I will stand at the forefront with the people to defend democracy against its destruction," and said, "Today will be the first day to judge the ruthless regime and restore democracy," emphasizing, "I will surely restore a true democratic republic that pursues people's livelihood over ideology, unity over conflict, and national interest over private gain?a free and just Republic of Korea."