"Let's Meet After Recovery" vs "No Formalities"… Kim Ki-hyun, Will He Visit Lee Jae-myung in Hospital?

Ruling Party: "Kim Gi-hyeon, Currently Difficult to Visit Lee Jae-myung in Hospital"
Opposition: "Kim Cannot Decide on His Own in This Atmosphere"

As Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues his hunger strike for the 20th day, Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, repeatedly urged him to stop the strike. However, the Democratic Party seems to believe that such requests from the ruling party are not sufficient grounds for Lee to end his hunger strike.

Lee, who was transferred to a hospital on the 18th due to deteriorating health, is reported to still have a strong will to continue the hunger strike. Consequently, some voices suggest that Kim should meet Lee in person to provide a reason for him to stop the strike.

However, the People Power Party has stated that Kim currently has no plans to visit Lee.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the emergency public hearing on legislative petitions to eradicate fake news held at the National Assembly on the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, at the Supreme Council meeting, Kim urged Lee to stop the hunger strike, proposing, "After recovering your health, let’s calmly meet and fiercely discuss the pressing issues of people’s livelihoods." He added, "I hope you stop the hunger strike now and recover your health quickly," and “Under no circumstances should the life and safety of the leader of the main opposition party be at risk.”

However, the Democratic Party doubts the sincerity of Kim’s proposal. In a CBS Radio interview, Democratic Party lawmaker Min Hyung-bae was asked by the host, "Would the situation change if Kim visited Lee in the hospital?" He replied, "It should not be just a courtesy visit but should involve some content related to the reasons for the hunger strike," and "But it doesn’t seem likely at this point."

Kim Han-gyu, Democratic Party floor spokesperson, also said in an SBS Radio interview, "Humanly speaking, they (the ruling party) might be shaken emotionally, but I think the leadership itself believes they should not be like that," suggesting it is unlikely the ruling party will be the first to reach out to Lee. He added, "We had expected such a gesture from Kim Ki-hyun, but it seems he is not in a position to make that decision."

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was fasting, was transferred to Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital near the National Assembly due to health deterioration, and on the morning of the 18th, he is being transferred from this hospital to another hospital.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

From the ruling party’s perspective, the prolonged hunger strike by Lee is a burden as it may invite criticism for neglecting the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. However, they have maintained their stance of having no plans to visit Lee so far.

Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a CBS Radio interview, "The reasons the Democratic Party presents and the reasons we see for the hunger strike are different," and "(Kim’s hospital visit) is not easy at this point."

Ultimately, unless a message discouraging Lee from continuing the hunger strike comes from the presidential office, there is no clear way out for Lee’s hunger strike. However, attention is focused on whether Lee’s feelings will change as former President Moon Jae-in visited him at the hospital that afternoon.

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