Lee Nak-yeon Continues Hunger Strike Despite Senior Party Members' Objections
"Results Must Be Achieved to Find an Exit from the Hunger Strike"
"The Longer the Hunger Strike, the More Advantageous for Lee"
As Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues his hunger strike, various opinions have emerged to resolve the situation. Within the party, voices urging him to stop the hunger strike due to health concerns are growing louder, but there are many views that no suitable solution has been found as the Presidential Office and the ruling party remain unresponsive.
Although Lee has been maintaining his schedule while continuing the hunger strike, he did not attend the Supreme Council meeting on the 11th due to health reasons. His summons for prosecution on the 9th was also cut short after eight hours for health reasons.
Nam Young-hee, deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, said on YTN News Live on the 11th, "Whether it is the ruling party leader or the chief political secretary of the Presidential Office, everyone thinks that it is the minimum decency of our society for these people to visit and request Lee Jae-myung to stop his hunger strike." She added, "The hunger strike can be stopped when the ruling party opens the door for dialogue and compromise amid the disappearance of politics and the collapse of state affairs."
However, on the 12th day of his hunger strike on the 11th, Lee has not changed his mind despite requests from former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and senior party members to stop the strike.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is on a hunger strike, is sitting at the protest site in front of the National Assembly main building on the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The problem is that from Lee’s perspective, there has been no opportunity to end the hunger strike. On the 31st of last month, he began the hunger strike demanding three things: ▲a public apology for the destruction of people’s livelihoods and the undermining of democracy ▲a clear stance against the discharge of contaminated water from Japan and filing a case with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ▲a comprehensive reform of state affairs and a cabinet reshuffle.
However, there have been no visible results such as responses from the Presidential Office or the ruling party. This is why some suggest that former President Moon Jae-in should step in to provide Lee with a way out of the hunger strike. According to Kwon Chil-seung, chief spokesperson, who spoke to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day, there is no confirmed plan for former President Moon to visit the hunger strike site.
Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Park Sung-min believes that the hunger strike can only end if some response to the Democratic Party’s demands is obtained through dialogue with the Presidential Office. On BBS Radio’s 'Jeon Young-shin’s Morning Journal' that day, Park said, "Of course, if the former president advises against it, it will have an influence within our camp, and if senior figures express their opposition, it could be an exit strategy," but added, "Ultimately, the key lies with the Presidential Office."
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min also said on BBS Radio regarding calls for former President Moon to intervene and stop the hunger strike, "The hunger strike itself is not conducted with a set deadline or with an exit in mind," and added, "Rather than an exit strategy, there should be a strategy to practically achieve the goals Lee had in mind when he started the hunger strike."
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon visited the hunger strike tent of leader Lee Jae-myung in front of the National Assembly main building on the 10th, and after talking with the leader, he held his hand. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In political circles, there is also a view that the longer Lee’s hunger strike continues, the more advantageous it becomes for him. As the hunger strike lengthens and his health deteriorates, public opinion is expected to shift, forcing the Presidential Office and the ruling party leadership to take action.
Cho Won-jin, leader of the Our Republican Party, appeared on YTN Radio’s 'News King with Park Ji-hoon' that day and said, "If Lee continues the hunger strike for three to four more days, his face will look different, and from then on, the public’s perception will change," adding, "If Lee goes on a hunger strike for 20 days, neither the Presidential Office nor Kim Ki-hyun and the People Power Party leadership can remain silent. If they do, a huge backlash will come."
Cho explained, "Everyone knows that the hunger strike is to shield against judicial risks. What is ultimately shown is Lee’s gaunt face," and said, "In the end, it’s a battle of endurance between whether Lee Jae-myung holds out or the People Power Party and the Presidential Office hold out. It is the time of Lee Jae-myung’s hunger strike. If the time gets longer, they cannot avoid acting."
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