"Ready to Die" Pro-Myeong Faction's 'Fasting Participation' Movement
Anti-Myeong Faction: "Purpose Vague, No Exit Strategy Seen"
The Democratic Party of Korea is putting all its efforts into internal cohesion following Representative Lee Jae-myung's hunger strike. On the 4th, Senior Advisor Lee Hae-chan visited the hunger strike tent of Representative Lee, and former President Moon Jae-in also made a supportive phone call to him.
In a situation where the ruling party is launching attacks such as calling Lee's hunger strike a "bulletproof hunger strike" or a "hunger strike show," there is a prevailing atmosphere of refraining from words or actions that expose internal conflicts. However, some voices within the non-mainstream faction have pointed out that the purpose of Lee's hunger strike is unclear.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held in the hunger strike tent in front of the National Assembly main building on the 1st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
In a KBS radio interview on the 5th, Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook spoke about the internal atmosphere after Representative Lee's hunger strike, saying, "'There was a suggestion, 'Let's not leave the representative lonely. Let's keep him company,' and in response, there have been continuous offers like 'I will keep watch from this date to that date,'" adding, "It does not seem that there is a public opinion particularly distrustful of the representative."
On the same day, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Seo Young-kyo expressed her intention to join the hunger strike in a YTN radio interview. Seo said, "On the first day, it was Representative Jung Cheong-rae, on the second day, Representative Park Chan-dae, and I am doing it today," adding, "Many people are determined to fast with a resolve of 'fight to the death,' and the number will increase further."
Representative Lee has been on a hunger strike for six days since the 31st of last month, citing issues such as the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima and the controversy over the bust of General Hong Beom-do. Senior Advisor Lee Hae-chan visited the hunger strike tent on the 4th and encouraged Representative Lee, saying, "He made a great decision to raise awareness." Former President Moon Jae-in also called Representative Lee on the 1st, saying, "The Yoon Seok-youl government's reckless actions are too severe, and it is worrisome that the leader of the main opposition party is on a hunger strike," thereby supporting Representative Lee in opposing the government and ruling party.
Representative Lee Jae-myung, Floor Leader Park Kwang-on, and other members of the Democratic Party of Korea are shouting slogans at the 'Emergency Action Report on Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater Ocean Dumping' held at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall on the 1st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
For now, internal conflicts surrounding Representative Lee's judicial risks seem to be calming down due to the hunger strike. However, some voices within the non-mainstream faction have evaluated that it is difficult for Lee's hunger strike to achieve results. In a BBS radio interview, Representative Cho Eung-cheon said, "I understand the feelings that led Representative Lee to start the hunger strike," but added, "The purpose of the hunger strike is vague. The truth is that there is nothing that Yongsan would accept by saying 'Okay' to any of these demands."
Representative Cho expressed concern about the lack of an exit strategy, saying, "It does not seem that the other side will raise (Representative Lee's) hand and accept to some extent and end it. Then there is only one way. There is no other way except to collapse from exhaustion and be taken away because life is in danger."
Senior lawmaker Lee Sang-min, who has been elected five times, evaluated Representative Lee's hunger strike in a YTN radio interview, saying, "Public opinion among the people is not very favorable," and added, "There are quite a few views questioning whether this method is appropriate and whether it can draw the public's attention."
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