Moved from Headquarters to Party Leader's Office Due to Health Decline
Plans to Continue 1-2 Hours of Visits Daily
'Expressed Will to Move to Fasting Site and Continue Fasting'
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been fasting for 14 days, is moving his fasting site due to health reasons. It is known that moving the fasting site from the outer area of the National Assembly main building to the party leader's office reflects Lee's determination to continue the fast.
Park Sung-joon, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 13th, "Lee's fasting site is moving from in front of the National Assembly main building to the leader's conference room." Regarding Lee's condition, Park said, "His health is quite poor and his energy is depleted," adding, "To minimize physical exhaustion, he is moving to the leader's conference room."
He continued, "(Lee) mostly lies down but will hold meetings for about 1 to 2 hours and will be open to the media," adding, "At 10:30 a.m. today, he plans to meet with the Supreme Council members, attend the Democratic Party's freshman lawmakers meeting (Deomincho) in the morning, and meet with the Better Future lawmakers in the afternoon."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, moved his protest site from an outdoor tent to the party leader's office in the National Assembly on the 13th, continuing his hunger strike. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Regarding voices inside and outside the party requesting Lee to stop fasting, it is reported that Lee expressed his intention to continue fasting. Park said, "At the morning meeting, the party leader took a firm stance on continuing the fast," adding, "Moving the fasting site from outside to the leader's conference room reflects the party leader's resolute will to continue fasting." He said, "There are many calls to stop the fast, but the fact that the leader is moving to the conference room shows his intention to continue."
Cheon Jun-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker serving as Lee's chief secretary, gave an interim briefing on Lee's health. Currently, medical staff strongly recommend that Lee stop fasting, and he is being monitored with a 24-hour patch to check his heartbeat.
Cheon said, "Considering that medically irreversible damage occurs if fasting exceeds 10 to 14 days, it is judged that the fast has reached its limit," but added, "Lee's body temperature and blood pressure are not seriously abnormal. However, he is showing symptoms of decreased bodily functions due to hypothermia, and electrolyte imbalance has started to appear since the seventh day of testing." He continued, "Since yesterday, the frequency of arrhythmia has increased, and there has been significant weight loss, so the medical staff decided to increase monitoring frequency from now on."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, moved his protest site from an outdoor tent to the party leader's office in the National Assembly on the 13th and continues his hunger strike. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
The medical team said, "It is advisable to stop fasting even now," and "If any abnormal signs occur in the future, immediate cessation of fasting will be recommended." Cheon said, "Blood sugar and body temperature have been checked frequently and sent to the medical staff, and the frequency will be increased and intervals shortened," adding, "A 24-hour patch has been attached to monitor the heartbeat."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
