Lee Jae-myung transported to hospital on Day-19 of hunger strike, “Did not express intention to end hunger strike”

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung is being transported to the hospital in a 119 ambulance at the National Assembly on the morning of September 18, the nineteenth day of his hunger strike. Bak Min-gyu, Senior Reporter

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung was transported to the hospital due to deteriorating health conditions on September 18, the nineteenth day of his hunger strike.

At 7:15 a.m. Monday, Lee, who had been on a hunger strike in front of the party leader's office in the National Assembly, was transported to the Yeouido St. Mary’s hospital by a 119 rescue unit, which an official in his office called around 6:55 a.m. Members of the party’s Supreme Council, Jung Chung-rae, Park Chan-dae and Seo Eun-suk, along with the party’s secretary general Cho Jeong-sik and chief secretary Cheon Jun-ho accompanied Lee to the hospital.

The party’s spokesperson Park Sung-joon said over the phone, “Lee showed signs of dehydration, and he was delirious.”

Lee arrived at the hospital at 7:23 a.m. and received emergency medical care. Kwon Chil-seung, the party’s senior spokesperson, met with reporters in front of the hospital and said, “Lee is currently receiving emergency care and is being injected with normal saline.” He explained, “To confirm Lee’s current condition, he needs to undergo various tests, but the medical staff believe that his bodily functions have deteriorated considerably due to a prolonged hunger strike.”

Kwon also said, “Lee will be transported to Green Hospital as soon as they finish emergency care at Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital and receive treatment for recovery.”

Reportedly, Lee expressed his determination to continue his hunger strike even in the hospital. His chief secretary, Cheon Jun-ho met with reporters and said, “He (Lee) appears to be conscious,” but added, “He has not expressed his intention to stop the hunger strike.”

Lee has been on a hunger strike for nineteen days demanding overall reforms in state administration and a reshuffle of the cabinet. As the hunger strike continued for a lengthy period, party leaders and senior members urged Lee to urgently receive in-patient treatment, but Lee stated his determination to continue with the hunger strike. The paramedics were dispatched to the National Assembly on Sunday, but Lee refused to be hospitalized.