"Please Give My Father the Nomination" Jeong Yura Fiercely Criticizes Lawmakers Demanding Lee to End Hunger Strike

Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party Leader, on 18th Day of Hunger Strike

Jung Yura, the daughter of Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), who was involved in the national scandal, described the Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers as unfilial children only interested in inheritance.

Ms. Jeong Yura (left) and Representative Lee Jae-myung [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 17th, Jung shared a photo on social media (SNS) showing Democratic Party lawmakers and non-incumbent regional committee heads gathered holding a sign that read "Please stop the hunger strike," referring to party leader Lee Jae-myung, who is currently on a hunger strike.

Jung criticized them, saying, "They seem like children who don't visit even when called but come just before someone passes away to claim inheritance," and wrote, "Please give me a nomination from my father." This implies they came to make a mark to secure a nomination.

Photo and caption posted by Ms. Jeong Yura on SNS. [Image source=Captured from Ms. Jeong Yura's SNS]

Since the 31st of last month, Lee has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding from the government ▲a public apology and a change in national policy ▲filing a case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea regarding contaminated water discharge ▲government reform and cabinet reshuffle.

Marking the 18th day of his hunger strike, Lee remains steadfast despite repeated attempts by lawmakers to persuade him to stop.

The Democratic Party held an emergency caucus the day before and decided to ▲request Lee to end his hunger strike ▲continue persuading him until he agrees ▲stand by in and around the National Assembly in case of emergencies.

People from the ruling party, including Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, and Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, also urged Lee to stop his hunger strike.

Mayor Hong apologized, saying, "I apologize for previously likening the hunger strike to a spoiled child's fuss over food. Regardless of the reason, mocking a life-risking hunger strike is wrong," and urged Lee to take care of his health.

People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun also said, "I hope you stop the hunger strike now to avoid serious health deterioration and difficulties in recovery," and proposed, "Let's hold a leaders' meeting immediately upon your recovery" to discuss public livelihood issues.

In response to these demands, on the same day, Democratic Party spokesperson Park Sung-jun criticized in a National Assembly briefing, "While we respect Leader Kim's message, hasn't the People Power Party and Leader Kim mocked and criticized the hunger strike over the past 17 days?"

Spokesperson Park added, "No government has ever failed to show even basic human decency regarding a hunger strike like this," and pointed out, "Moreover, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has not changed (even after the hunger strike began). It is further fueling ideological confrontation and focusing national policy on regime protection."

He continued, "They are acting as if the nuclear contaminated water issue never happened, and instead of reforming the government, they are filling the cabinet with far-right figures," emphasizing, "If they truly worry about Leader Lee Jae-myung and the future of the Republic of Korea, regime-level reflection and reform must come first."