Mocking and Ridiculing Lee Jae-myung's Hunger Strike... Even Within the Ruling Party, "Truly Embarrassing"

Yoon Sang-hyun: "Kim Ki-hyun and Lee Jae-myung Must Meet to Open Dialogue"

Rep. An Byeong-gil of the People Power Party announced that he would hold a seafood tasting event near the hunger strike site of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparking controversy. Within the ruling party, voices of criticism also emerged, saying "It's truly embarrassing."

On the 7th, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party appeared on MBC Radio's 'Shin Jang-sik's News High Kick' and commented on the seemingly mocking remarks toward Lee's hunger strike, saying, "Politics is about understanding and compromise, but being in such a hostile battleground makes me feel very sorry."

Rep. Yoon stated, "There is no dialogue in our political sphere. This is a really big problem," and mentioned, "The president has never met with Leader Lee Jae-myung." He then emphasized a solution to prevent political strife between the ruling and opposition parties: "Leader Kim Ki-hyun and Leader Lee Jae-myung should meet to open the door to dialogue and create a productive National Assembly and productive politics."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is seen with a somber expression at the Supreme Council meeting held on the tent protest site at the National Assembly on the 8th. 2023.9.8 [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, he pointed out, "(The most important thing about the hunger strike) is justification and public sympathy, but will the public understand Leader Lee Jae-myung's hunger strike? Won't they find it puzzling?" He explained, "Because it took place right before the prosecutor's summons."

Meanwhile, regarding Rep. An's remarks, the People Power Party leadership also urged him to exercise restraint. Initially, the People Power Party planned to hold a seafood tasting event at the National Assembly on the 8th, but after Lee's hunger strike, they changed it to a seafood promotion event to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

On the same day, Sung Il-jong, chairman of the People Power Party's Our Sea Protection Verification Task Force (TF), said in a CBS Radio interview, "The event was organized and the venue was rented before Leader Lee started his hunger strike," adding, "Originally, a tasting event was planned there, but it was canceled. I think Rep. An's remarks were somewhat inappropriate."