Kim Ki-hyun "Even within the Democratic Party, there are criticisms of lack of justification"
Yoon Jae-ok "Parliament shutdown means abandoning people's livelihood"
On the 18th, the People Power Party criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for his hunger strike, saying it "lacks a just cause and only highlights his personal legal risks." On the same day, the 19th day of his hunger strike, Lee was transferred to a hospital due to deteriorating health.
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held that day, "Under no circumstances should the life and safety of the leader of the main opposition party be at risk," adding, "Now, let's stop the hunger strike, recover health, and calmly meet to fiercely discuss the pressing issues of people's livelihoods."
Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
However, Kim cited the hunger strikes of former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung during their time as lawmakers, as well as former United Future Party leader Kim Sung-tae's hunger strike, and pointed out, "Lee's hunger strike has minimal public sympathy and even within the Democratic Party, there are criticisms that the hunger strike lacks justification."
Kim said, "The demands for the entire cabinet's resignation and the dismissal of the prime minister as an escape from the hunger strike are not only insincere in intent but also unreasonable demands that are difficult to accept regardless of political faction," adding, "Even considering that the Democratic Party needed an escape from the hunger strike, bringing the National Assembly to a complete halt blatantly shows the party as a prisoner of extreme hardliners within and a Galapagos party disconnected from public sentiment."
On the same day, Floor Leader Yoon criticized Floor Leader Park Kwang-on, who gave the negotiation group representative speech. In his speech, Park reiterated the Democratic Party's urgent resolution passed over the past weekend, demanding the dismissal of the prime minister and the resignation of all cabinet members. The Democratic Party submitted a motion to dismiss the prime minister to the National Assembly immediately after the speech.
On the 18th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was on a hunger strike, was transported due to health deterioration. Colleagues, including floor leader Park Kwang-on, gathered in front of the emergency room at St. Mary's Hospital in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Floor Leader Yoon said, "Is shutting down the entire National Assembly because Lee Jae-myung was transferred to the hospital truly in the interest of the people?" and criticized, "During the regular session of the National Assembly, the Democratic Party's resolution is no different from saying they will abandon people's livelihoods and fight against the majority of the public to protect Lee Jae-myung."
He added, "The extreme resolution for struggle by Democratic Party lawmakers who should stop Lee's indefinite hunger strike only brings great despair to the people," and said, "No matter how much they try to embarrass the president and damage the government with the dismissal motion, it does not erase the many suspicions surrounding Lee."
He emphasized, "The responsibility of the majority party in the National Assembly to take care of people's livelihoods is heavier than the life of any individual politician," and urged, "Do not betray the expectations placed on the Democratic Party and stop the unjustified and excessive political struggle."
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