[Politics That Day] Hwang Kyo-ahn, Fasting and Sleeping Outdoors, Loses Consciousness and Taken by Ambulance

November 2019 Free Korea Party Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn's Hunger Strike
Overnight Hunger Strike in Front of the Blue House, Hospitalized at Night
Ruling Party Leader and Blue House Senior Secretary Visit to Dissuade Hunger Strike

Editor's Note‘Politics on That Day’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, or figures.

"When the doctor hurried in, he found no consciousness. We immediately called 119 and went to the hospital."

On the night of November 27, 2019, around 11 p.m., a member of the Liberty Korea Party who was at the scene relayed the situation in which Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, was loaded into an ambulance. At the time, Hwang Kyo-ahn was continuing a ‘fasting protest’ in front of the Blue House.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the main opposition party at the time, was fasting in front of the Blue House, demanding the prevention of the termination of the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), the prevention of the introduction of a mixed-member proportional representation system, and the prevention of the establishment of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Agency. His health rapidly deteriorated day by day.

He showed symptoms of proteinuria and dehydration, reaching a state where normal communication was difficult. Eventually, he lost consciousness and was transported by ambulance in the middle of the night. Hwang Kyo-ahn was transferred to Seoul’s Sinchon Severance Hospital for continued treatment.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held in the Rotunda Hall in front of the National Assembly plenary session on December 12, 2019. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Liberty Korea Party members who observed the situation explained, “He was suffering from respiratory distress and unconsciousness, so he was urgently taken to the hospital.” The situation was urgent. Hwang Kyo-ahn’s health condition was a matter of great concern not only for the Liberty Korea Party but also for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the Blue House at the time.

Fasting is not easy even for young people, and for a politician over 60 years old to continue it was a health risk. Although Hwang Kyo-ahn expressed his intention to continue fasting despite the objections of surrounding politicians, due to the rapid deterioration of his condition, he was transported to the hospital on the eighth day of fasting.

Fasting by politicians is the last resort to demonstrate determination. Especially, the fasting of opposition party leaders is etched in Korean political history. The fasting protests of former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung during their opposition days are regarded as turning points that changed the course of the era.

Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party (left), is speaking at an emergency party meeting held in front of the Blue House fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on November 24, 2019. Right next to floor leader Na, Hwang Kyo-ahn, the party leader, has been continuing his hunger strike for five days in a temporary tent. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

However, from the perspective of parliamentarians, fasting is also subject to criticism. There are questions about whether it is appropriate to use fasting as a last resort when political issues should be resolved through parliamentary means. Various opinions were expressed during Hwang Kyo-ahn’s fasting as well.

The fasting of opposition party leaders reveals the deadlock in political situations but can also serve as a means to open political dialogue. In Korean politics, when major politicians fast, both ruling and opposition parties visit the site, express concern for their health, and continue dialogue.

For example, when the opposition leader fasts, it is common for the ruling party to visit the site and urge the fasting to stop. When Hwang Kyo-ahn was fasting, the Blue House, the ruling party, and the Prime Minister’s Office all took action.

Kang Ki-jung, then Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, visited Hwang Kyo-ahn on November 21, 2019, during his fast to explain the GSOMIA negotiation process and urged him to stop fasting. At that time, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon visited Hwang Kyo-ahn on November 24, 2019, and said, “I understand your difficult and sincere intentions,” while requesting that he stop fasting.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is visiting Hwang Kyo-ahn, who has been on a hunger strike for six days in front of the Blue House tent in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on November 25, 2019, to check on his condition. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also met Hwang Kyo-ahn on November 25, 2019, in front of the Blue House during his fast and proposed, “Stop fasting quickly and let’s have a dialogue. Let’s negotiate.”

In November 2019, the timing of Hwang Kyo-ahn’s fast coincided with various political issues intertwined ahead of the 21st general election in April 2020.

The tangled threads of politics were not easily unraveled. Even after Hwang Kyo-ahn was transported to the hospital, the ‘political aftermath of the fast’ continued. Jung Mi-kyung and Shin Bo-ra, Supreme Council members of the Liberty Korea Party, also joined in solidarity fasting, saying, “We are Hwang Kyo-ahn.”

At that time, Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, also announced, “Hwang Kyo-ahn’s fast is not over. From today (November 28), the Liberty Korea Party will continue the fast.” Although Hwang Kyo-ahn lost his health through fasting, his leadership was solidified, and the political unity of the Liberty Korea Party was strengthened.