Former President Moon Calls Lee Jae-myung During Hunger Strike to Offer Encouragement: "Yoon's Recklessness Is Too Severe"

Lee "Sorry for causing concern... There was no other way"
Moon "Worried about the main opposition leader's hunger strike... Support"

Former President Moon Jae-in called and encouraged Lee Jae-myung, the leader who began an indefinite hunger strike on the 1st.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kwon Chil-seung, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, held a briefing at the National Assembly that day and stated, "There was a phone call between Leader Lee and former President Moon around 3 p.m."

Former President Moon reportedly told Leader Lee, "I was worried and wanted to send my support from the heart, so I called," adding, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration's reckless actions are too severe, and it is concerning that the leader of the main opposition party is on a hunger strike."

Yoon Gun-young, a member of the National Assembly who served as the head of the State Affairs Situation Room at the Blue House during the Moon administration, conveyed the contents of the call, saying, "Former President Moon, as a senior figure of the Democratic Party, appears to be deeply saddened by the situation where the leader of the main opposition party has resorted to a hunger strike due to the Yoon administration's reckless actions," and added, "He also expressed particular concern about Leader Lee's health."

In response, Leader Lee said, "I apologize for causing worry. Thank you for calling. I will endure well," and added, "There was no other option left to choose." He further stated, "The administration's recklessness and regression are so severe that even the minimum order is not being maintained," and "They are destroying everything and are in a state of war against the people, so I have no choice but to look to the people."

The call lasted about 4 to 5 minutes that day.

Senior Spokesperson Kwon said, "Both are great politicians who represent and have represented the Democratic Party," and emphasized, "The fact that both share difficulties and concerns about the current government, and that former President Moon worries about Leader Lee's hunger strike, will give hope to our party members, supporters, and the public."

When reporters asked whether former President Moon mentioned any specific current issues or topics, Assemblyman Yoon replied, "It can be seen as a general expression of concern."