Jo Eung-cheon "I Understand Lee Jae-myung's Hunger Strike Sentiment... The Deadlock Is Difficult"

BBS 'Jeon Young-shin Morning Journal' Interview
"No Other Way but to Be Taken Away Exhausted"

Cho Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on Lee Jae-myung, the party leader who is on a hunger strike, saying, "I understand the sentiment that leaves no choice but to go on a hunger strike," but also noted that the purpose of the hunger strike is "actually vague."

On the 5th, Cho appeared on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and said, "In the past, when figures like YS or DJ went on hunger strikes, their objectives were somewhat straightforward," adding, "The truth is, there is nothing that can be obtained from Yongsan by simply saying 'Alright'."

Assemblyman Cho Eung-cheon of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

He said, "Lee himself has said that this is not a hunger strike with conditions. So it is more perplexing, and naturally questions like 'What is the way out?' follow," and predicted, "There will be certain limits to expanding the scope."

However, he expressed concern, saying, "The president must feel at a loss about what to do when the opposition party is openly viewed like that," and added, "Since yesterday, his strength seems to have noticeably weakened, his beard is unkempt, and it is pitiful."

Regarding the exit strategy for the hunger strike, Cho said, "Unlike before, it doesn't seem likely that the other side will raise their hand and accept some part of the demands to end this. Then there is only one way left. That is to collapse from exhaustion and be taken away because his life is in danger; there is no other way."

When asked if the hunger strike is yielding no results, he said, "A hunger strike is something done risking one's life, so I think Lee's true intention is to have that sincerity recognized."

Regarding voices within the party calling for the rejection of the arrest motion against Lee, he said, "In a situation where the party leader is risking his life on a hunger strike, if an arrest motion comes up, openly saying 'It should be approved' would be very harsh. So no one can say it openly."

He added, "(Lee) has clearly declared parliamentary immunity, so that promise must be kept, and he should be the one to first ask for approval. This is not something that can be resolved by hiding behind the party indefinitely, and to build trust as a politician, this process must be followed."

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