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Democratic Party urges Hwang to quit hunger strike
By Choi Si-youngPublished : Nov. 24, 2019 - 17:16
On Sunday, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea urged Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty Korea Party to halt hunger strike he began Wednesday in front of Cheong Wa Dae.
Hwang is protesting President Moon Jae-in’s decisions to terminate a military intel-sharing pact with Japan and to push ahead with disputed fast-tracked bills on elections and an anti-corruption body.
“Whether it be passing the bill or withdrawing it, we should be working at the National Assembly, not Cheong Wa Dae,” a spokesperson for the ruling party said in a statement, adding, “One of his demands is already met.” President Moon decided to hold off on scrapping the agreement on Friday.
But Hwang still insists on carrying on with his hunger strike, saying, “The fast-tracked election bill is what drew me here.”
Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited Hwang.
“I told him we are very concerned about his health,” Lee told reporters. “I fully understand the sincerity of his hunger strike.” Hwang reportedly asked the prime minister to convey his message demanding the retraction of fast-tracked bills to President Moon.
The election bill increases the number of nonconstituency proportional representation lawmakers, who are given seats without a constituency on a party’s recommendation.
The Liberty Korea Party claims the change in the election rules will work to its disadvantage. It also questions the unchecked powers of the proposed anti-corruption body mandated to investigate corruption allegations involving ranking officials.
“Our party and the people want to see the bills dropped,” said Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party. “We will see that done as we continue to negotiate with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.”
National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang will put the election and the anti-graft body bills to floor discussion on Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, respectively. While the parliament will proceed to vote 60 days after the discussion, Speaker Moon can bring the bills to an early vote.
By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)
Hwang is protesting President Moon Jae-in’s decisions to terminate a military intel-sharing pact with Japan and to push ahead with disputed fast-tracked bills on elections and an anti-corruption body.
“Whether it be passing the bill or withdrawing it, we should be working at the National Assembly, not Cheong Wa Dae,” a spokesperson for the ruling party said in a statement, adding, “One of his demands is already met.” President Moon decided to hold off on scrapping the agreement on Friday.
But Hwang still insists on carrying on with his hunger strike, saying, “The fast-tracked election bill is what drew me here.”
Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited Hwang.
“I told him we are very concerned about his health,” Lee told reporters. “I fully understand the sincerity of his hunger strike.” Hwang reportedly asked the prime minister to convey his message demanding the retraction of fast-tracked bills to President Moon.
The election bill increases the number of nonconstituency proportional representation lawmakers, who are given seats without a constituency on a party’s recommendation.
The Liberty Korea Party claims the change in the election rules will work to its disadvantage. It also questions the unchecked powers of the proposed anti-corruption body mandated to investigate corruption allegations involving ranking officials.
“Our party and the people want to see the bills dropped,” said Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party. “We will see that done as we continue to negotiate with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.”
National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang will put the election and the anti-graft body bills to floor discussion on Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, respectively. While the parliament will proceed to vote 60 days after the discussion, Speaker Moon can bring the bills to an early vote.
By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)
