Choi Seung-jae Begins Indefinite Hunger Strike... "I Will Fight Against the Conspiracy Delaying the Loss Compensation Act"

"Support for Small Business Damage Is Dilution, Loss Compensation Act Must Be Enacted"

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party and acting party leader, is meeting with Rep. Choi Seung-jae, who is holding a tent protest in front of the National Assembly main building on the 3rd, urging legislation for retroactive compensation for losses of small business owners due to COVID-19. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Choi Seung-jae, a member of the People Power Party who has been holding a sit-in protest for 46 days in front of the National Assembly demanding the enactment of the Small Business Loss Compensation Act, has begun an indefinite hunger strike.

On the 27th, Choi held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "From this moment on, I will risk my political life and start a hunger strike to confront all conspiracies and outrages that block full loss compensation."

Earlier that day, Kwon Chil-seung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, stated at a press briefing marking his 100th day in office that the government is discussing additional support measures within the administration to aid small business owners affected by losses.

Regarding this, Choi said, "Politicians from both ruling and opposition parties are all calling for retroactive application of loss compensation," and criticized, "Populist political practices that cleverly dilute the concept of support at the discussion table for the Loss Compensation Act are rampant."

He emphasized, "The compensation target is a very simple matter that should be limited to the government's administrative orders, namely businesses subject to gathering bans and operational restrictions."

He added, "Tomorrow, the subcommittee on the Loss Compensation Act will be held," and stated, "I will firmly oppose any conspiracy to delay the Loss Compensation Act or dilute it by labeling it as support."

Choi raised his voice, saying, "Even at this moment, countless small business owners and self-employed people are disappearing and dying by extreme choices," and asked, "How many more must die before relief is felt? What exactly do you plan to do after everyone is dead?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.