Official Request for the First Time
Lee Jae-myung on Hunger Strike for 15 Days
Kim Gi-hyeon, the leader of the People Power Party, requested Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to stop his hunger strike on the 14th. This is the first time Kim has officially asked Lee to end his hunger strike.
At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Kim said, "Regardless of the reason, I respectfully ask Lee to stop the hunger strike that is harming his health," adding, "It is not appropriate for the leader of the largest opposition party, which holds a huge number of seats, to continue a hunger strike during the critical regular session of the National Assembly when the government’s administration and next year’s national budget need to be reviewed."
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 14th day of his fast, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is having a conversation with former Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min in the party leader's office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
However, Kim does not appear to have immediate plans to visit Lee. Kang Min-guk, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, stated in a briefing after the Supreme Council meeting, "There are no plans to meet (yet)."
Chief Spokesperson Kang conveyed, "Today, Leader Kim is concerned about Leader Lee’s health, and especially as the regular session of the National Assembly begins, he thinks the opposition leader should end the hunger strike and focus on the people’s livelihood."
Two days ago, Kim also effectively declined to meet Lee during a visit by Yang Hyang-ja, co-leader of Korea Hope.
On the 12th, Co-leader Yang requested, "It is known that Leader Lee’s health condition is very poor. Please meet and listen to him," but Kim indirectly expressed no intention to visit, saying, "I am sorry to hear that his health has worsened, but I have fundamental concerns about whether this issue should be resolved in such a manner."
Lee has been on a hunger strike for the 15th day. Initially, he conducted it in a tent in front of the main building of the National Assembly, but the day before, he moved inside to the party leader’s office in the main building to continue the hunger strike.
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