기사 메일전송
Jang Dong-hyuk "Fasting to Resist the Tyranny of the Giant Corporation"... Requires Wearing an Oxygen Generator
  • Yonhap News
  • January 20, 2026 at 11:45 PM
기사수정
  • Sudden drop in oxygen saturation... "Despite medical staff recommending hospital transfer, they remained at the protest site"


Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 20th, the sixth day of his hunger strike, "If I can appeal to the public for even one minute and one second longer, I want to continue (the hunger strike) until I collapse."


In an interview with the conservative YouTube channel 'Lee Young-pung TV' at his hunger strike site in the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall, Jang said, "There isn't much a minority opposition party can do against the tyranny of the giant ruling party."


Regarding the goals of his hunger strike, the establishment of a special prosecutor for the Unification Church and campaign donations, he said, "The special prosecutor is merely a small leaf or branch. The public knows well what lies in those large roots and why we are fighting."


He emphasized, "The future of South Korea will not change with just one special prosecutor. However, passing this special prosecutor bill is the starting point from which we can dig up those roots."


Jang also expressed his gratitude to his supporters by posting a handwritten message on Facebook: "On the 6th day of my hunger strike, party members are supporting me. I hear the sound of spring arriving, the spring of public sentiment."


Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, known for his moderate and reformist stance, and lawmakers from the intra-party young reformist group 'Alternatives and Future,' who have often clashed with the leadership, visited the hunger strike site that day.


Furthermore, Cho Won-jin, leader of the pro-conservative Our Republican Party, Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae, and senior party advisors Hwang Woo-yeo and Yoo Jun-sang also visited to offer encouragement.


With visitors from various political spectrums coming to the hunger strike site, some analyses suggest that Jang's hunger strike has opened the door for 'pan-conservative integration.'


However, it is reported that former leader Han Dong-hoon, who had conflicts with Jang during the disciplinary proceedings of the 'party member bulletin board incident,' currently has no plans to visit the protest site.


Governor Kim Jin-tae, who visited the hunger strike site, shared his experience of having his candidacy cut off before the 2022 local elections and subsequently going on a hunger strike. He advised, "You shouldn't do it for too long. It can lead to complications and serious problems later. Those guys (the Democratic Party) won't even bat an eye."


In response, Jang replied, "The hunger strike is not only directed at the Democratic Party but also at the public. Many people are telling me to stop and to go to the hospital, but I intend to continue for a little longer."


When Kim Jin-tae commented, "Because you are acting on principle, it seems former leader Han Dong-hoon has apologized, and the party atmosphere is improving slightly," Jang remained silent without a specific response.


Amidst a dense arrangement of flower baskets sent by party members around Jang's tent, visits of support from original party committee chairmen and supporters continued.


When a visitor appeared holding a placard with the message "Release President Yoon Suk-yeol," a tense atmosphere briefly permeated among party officials.


Meanwhile, it was reported that around 9 PM that day, Jang's blood oxygen saturation dropped sharply, and although medical staff recommended hospitalization, he refused and instead received emergency treatment using a medical oxygen generator.


Dr. Seo Myung-ok, a member of the National Assembly, stated in a phone call with Yonhap News, "If blood oxygen saturation drops, the brain may not receive adequate oxygen, leading to severe complications. From a medical perspective, this is a situation that requires immediate hospitalization, but the leader's determination to persevere is strong."


관련기사
What do you think of this article?
recommend
0
great
0
moved
0
정기구독배너
Go to Mobile Site