Calls for "Cooperation" Grow in Politics Following Lee Jae-myung's Hospital Transfer

Yang Hyang-ja "President Must Step Up to Restore Politics"
Lee Jeong-mi "Civil War-like Political Strife Must End"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was transported to a hospital due to health issues on the 19th day of his hunger strike, prompting growing calls within the political sphere for an end to extreme confrontations and for the ruling and opposition parties to cooperate.

Lee has shown his determination to continue the hunger strike from his hospital bed, and the ruling party is also reluctant to extend a hand for reconciliation, suggesting that the extreme confrontation is likely to continue.

Yang Hyang-ja, a lawmaker leading the third-party Korean Hope, urged President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 18th via her social media (SNS) to meet with Lee, saying, "For the restoration of politics that the people desire, the president must step forward."

Yang said, "Despite the wishes of the majority of the people, neither the president nor anyone from the ruling party visited the hunger strike site. Instead, they even mocked and belittled it until the end," adding, "Sometimes losing is winning, and the one who extends a hand can be the stronger party. Please consider the people's concerns and open the door to cooperation."

She added, "Today, Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, expressed anger at the behavior of the government and ruling party during a National Assembly speech but also said, 'Hatred breeds hatred. We will break the chain of hatred.' Now, the government and ruling party must respond."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, also said, "Lee's hunger strike should be an opportunity to end internal political strife," and added, "We must end politics of mutual destruction and take a step forward toward an era of cooperation and governance."

However, despite requests from the third-party and opposition, there appears to be no sign of dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties. Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said, "Let's calmly meet and fiercely discuss livelihood issues after his health recovers," but also criticized, "Past hunger strikes in Yeouido had clear public interest purposes, but unfortunately, Lee's hunger strike highlights only his personal legal risks without such a greater cause."

The presidential office also responded coldly. Some media reported that a senior official from the presidential office reacted by saying, "Who told him to go on a hunger strike?" Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' saying, "How can they say such things?" and "To make such harsh remarks about the life-threatening hunger strike of the leader of the main opposition party is truly unacceptable."

The Democratic Party is responding with a motion to dismiss Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and protests demanding the entire cabinet's resignation. On the 18th, the Democratic Party submitted a motion to dismiss Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to the National Assembly.

Song Ki-heon, the Democratic Party's senior deputy floor leader, told reporters after submitting the motion, "The government is in total chaos, and the prime minister has failed to properly recommend ministers and is not managing the government effectively," adding, "At this point, the entire cabinet, including the prime minister, must be completely reshuffled."

Democratic Party lawmakers held a human chain picket protest in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, calling for "a complete overhaul of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the total resignation of the cabinet." Jeong Cheong-rae, a senior member of the Democratic Party, raised his voice, saying, "The ruthless, beast-like regime has finally requested an unjust arrest warrant against Lee," and "The Democratic Party will unite firmly to block this unjust warrant request."