Ahn Ho-Young Vows to Continue Hunger Strike Until Reinvestigation of "Won-Taek Lee Allegations"

Fifth Day of Hunger Strike

"Respecting the Decision to Dismiss the Reconsideration"

Assemblyman Ho-Young Ahn of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was defeated in the primary for North Jeolla Province governor in the upcoming 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, stated that he would "respect the process as a party member because there is no further procedural avenue for appeal" regarding the Supreme Council’s decision to uphold the Central Party Reconsideration Committee's dismissal. However, he added that he would continue his hunger strike until the Ethics Inspection Team conducts a reinvestigation into Assemblyman Won-Taek Lee, who was selected as the candidate.

At a press conference in front of the main National Assembly building on April 15, Assemblyman Ahn said, "I will respect the result of the reconsideration," but added, "I will not withdraw my demand for a reinvestigation. I will continue the hunger strike until the reinvestigation begins and the results are announced."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Jae-man Bae = On April 15, Representative Ho-young Ahn, who is on a hunger strike demanding a re-investigation into the allegations of 'meal expense payments' involving candidate Lee after losing to Representative Won-taek Lee in the June 3 local election Democratic Party primary for Jeonbuk Governor, announced his position at the protest site in front of the National Assembly main building. 2026.4.15 scoop@yna.co.kr (End)

On the fifth day of his hunger strike, he expressed regret, saying, "I am very disappointed that the need for additional investigation by the Ethics Inspection Team, which I consistently called for during the reconsideration process, was not reflected." He also said, "The initial ethics inspection was hastily concluded with only a few phone calls due to time constraints. As a result, Assemblyman Lee was given a de facto exoneration, and he used this outcome to his advantage in the election."

Assemblyman Ahn continued, "In contrast, Governor Kwan-Young Kim was subjected to a very strict process. Because of this, residents of North Jeolla Province are criticizing the Democratic Party for its double standards."

He emphasized, "The core issue is not the advantage or disadvantage of an individual candidate, but rather the erosion of trust in the party's fairness among the public and party members. There must be action that all citizens and our party members can accept."

On this day, Assemblyman Ahn also revealed he would release a newly obtained handwritten statement and deliver its contents to the Democratic Party secretary general and others. He added, "This is the path to shake off the stigma of a hasty inspection and to restore trust in the Democratic Party as a fair party."

Previously, the Democratic Party's Ethics Inspection Team concluded on April 8 that Assemblyman Won-Taek Lee was "not guilty" regarding the third-party meal payment allegations. Earlier, in November last year, a CCTV video showing Governor Kwan-Young Kim of North Jeolla Province giving car service fees to young party members at a restaurant in Jeonju was released, leading to his expulsion from the party.

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