Is Lee Jae-myung in a close relationship? Green Hospital's stance on political suspicion allegations

Im Sang-hyeok, Director of Noksaek Hospital, Denies "No Personal Ties with Lee"
"Hospital Treated Over 1,000 Fasting Patients"
"Expected to Arrive Around 10 Days into Fasting"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is drawing attention to Noksaek Hospital, where he is hospitalized and continuing a bed-fast. Suspicion has arisen within the ruling party that there might be some connection between Lee and Noksaek Hospital, suggesting that he was transferred there for that reason. Critics question why, despite Lee’s poor condition requiring emergency transfer, a hospital located more than 30 minutes by car from Yeouido, Seoul, was chosen for recovery treatment.

However, Noksaek Hospital denied any personal friendship with Lee and stated that it had been agreed from the beginning of the fast that he would come to this hospital if his health deteriorated.

Earlier, on the 19th day of his fast, on the morning of the 18th, Lee’s health rapidly worsened, and he was urgently transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital in Yeouido, Seoul, for emergency treatment before being moved to Noksaek Hospital for recovery care. Noksaek Hospital, located in Myeonmok-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul, is about 20 km away from Yeouido.

In response, the Democratic Party stated, "Noksaek Hospital has specialists with extensive experience in fasting treatment," and "Since the hospital is fully equipped with facilities to support treatment, it was decided to continue treatment there."

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was on a hunger strike, was transported from the National Assembly to a hospital on the 18th due to deteriorating health. 2023.9.18
kong79@yna.co.kr
(End) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Noksaek Hospital was established after the 'Wonjin Rayon incident.' In the 1970s, workers and retirees from the synthetic fiber company Wonjin Rayon suffered from symptoms such as unexplained paralysis of the limbs, but at that time, the concept of industrial accidents did not exist, so most did not receive treatment or compensation.

The cause was carbon disulfide, a chemical used in the production process of rayon, which was not properly handled. As a result of the struggle to recognize occupational diseases, the Wonjin Foundation was established and opened Noksaek Hospital as a specialized occupational disease hospital in September 2003.

At this hospital, Pine Tech workers who conducted a long-term chimney sit-in in 2017, Seoljo Monk who fasted for over 40 days in 2018, and victims of the Brothers Home who conducted a high-altitude fasting protest in front of the National Assembly in 2019 were transferred and treated.

Despite the Democratic Party’s explanation, suspicion about the sincerity of Lee’s fast and Noksaek Hospital persisted within the ruling party.

In response, Lim Sang-hyuk, director of Noksaek Hospital, denied any personal friendship with Lee and said this was the first time they had spoken. In an interview on June 20 with MBC Radio’s 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,' he said, "I serve as the vice-chairman of the National Assembly’s Advisory Committee on Child Poverty Policy. Previously, when Lee came to forums or similar events, we took photos, but this is the first time we have had a conversation."

He explained that it had been agreed that if Lee’s health deteriorated around the 10th day of fasting, he would come to Noksaek Hospital. Director Lim said, "About ten days after starting the fast, it was decided that if his health worsened and he needed to go to a hospital, he would come to Noksaek Hospital. So I just thought a politician was coming."

He added, "More than 1,000 fasting patients have been admitted to our hospital," and "There have been politicians such as Roh Hoe-chan of the Justice Party, Kang Eun-mi, floor leader of the Justice Party, and Woo Won-shik of the Democratic Party, as well as social minorities like Lim Jong-rin, branch chief of Paris Baguette who fasted for 54 days, mothers of victims of the October 29 Itaewon tragedy, and Kim Mi-sook, mother of the late Kim Yong-gyun."

Regarding Lee’s current condition, he said, "He is stabilizing and improving. We are providing intravenous therapy to supply electrolytes and fluids that are currently lacking," and added, "Hospitals are places to treat patients, so we are doing our best to provide treatment. However, since he is still continuing the fast, we are continuously persuading him to stop fasting."