Jang Donghyuk Continues Sixth Day of 'Dual Special Investigation Hunger Strike'... Yoo Seungmin Also Visits to Show Support

Prominent Conservative Politicians Visit Jang to Show Support
People Power Party Intensifies Protest Against Ruling Party
with Rallies and Calls for a One-on-One Meeting

Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, continued his hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day on January 20, demanding a dual special investigation into the Democratic Party of Korea's nomination bribery allegations and the Unification Church scandal. On this day, he held a surprise meeting with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin.

Former lawmaker Yoo visited the National Assembly Rotunda in the morning to encourage Jang. After speaking with Jang for about ten minutes, Yoo told reporters, "I came because I heard that Representative Jang is having a very difficult time and I was concerned," adding, "Even if we have different opinions on certain issues, it is time for us to come together and work towards becoming a trustworthy conservative party."

Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party who has been on a hunger strike for six days demanding a dual special investigation into the Unification Church and nomination bribery from the Democratic Party of Korea, is seen talking with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin, who visited the protest site at the National Assembly Rotunda on January 20, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He particularly emphasized the importance of conservative unity, stating that the party must stand together during times of crisis. Yoo said, "The most urgent task for our party is to rebuild conservatism by earning the trust and support of the people," and added, "In that regard, no one can have a different opinion."

Following Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon's visit on January 18, other prominent conservative politicians have continued to visit Jang. On January 19, South Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Taeheum and Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun visited Jang to offer their support. Political circles are analyzing that Jang's hunger strike is serving as a catalyst for conservative solidarity.

Jang's health has deteriorated to the point where medical staff have requested that he be transferred to a hospital, but he has refused. As discussions on the dual special investigation targeting the ruling party remain at an impasse, Jang continues his hardline protest. On this day, Jang stated, "I am risking my life to demand an answer from the Democratic Party, and if they do not respond, that in itself is an admission."

Party members in the National Assembly also continued to support him. Led by Floor Leader Song Eonseok, party leaders and lawmakers held a rally in front of the fountain at the Cheongwadae Sarangchae in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of January 20, raising the intensity of their protest by demanding the dual special investigation. After the rally, they plan to deliver a formal request to the presidential office demanding acceptance of the dual special investigation. Until Jang ends his hunger strike, the party intends to postpone all National Assembly standing committee schedules for the week and focus on the protest.

In addition, they repeatedly called on President Lee Jaemyung to hold a one-on-one meeting. At a party strategy meeting, Floor Leader Song said, "The first action of Hong Ikpyo, the new Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, should be to visit Representative Jang at his hunger strike site," adding, "We expect him to play a positive role in communicating with the opposition, including delivering the demand for the dual special investigation to President Lee."

The party's reformist group, "Alternative and Future," which had previously called for a change in direction from Jang, also offered its support. Lee Seongkwon, the group's secretary, told reporters after their regular meeting in the morning, "We have formed a consensus to actively support Representative Jang's hunger strike and join the protest," adding, "What the party needs now is unity, and we have resolved that any words or actions that hinder this must stop." Afterwards, lawmakers belonging to Alternative and Future visited Jang at his hunger strike site to offer encouragement.