The Hunger Strike and Arrest Warrant Request for Leader of Democratic Party of Korea
Foreign Media Highlights the Criminal Investigations Targeting Representative Lee Jae-myung
On September 18th, foreign media outlets, including the New York Times (NYT) from the United States and Reuters from the United Kingdom, reported on the hunger strike of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the prosecution’s request for an arrest warrant. The NYT, in particular, highlighted the fact that Representative Lee has become the target of several criminal investigations after losing by a large margin to President Yoon Seok-yeol in the 2022 presidential election.
CEO Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days, was transferred to Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 18th. According to an article titled ‘Korean prosecutors want to arrest opposition leader on hunger strike’ by the NYT, Korean prosecutors requested a second arrest warrant immediately after Lee was taken into emergency.
The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office arrested Representative Lee on the morning of the 18th on charges of violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Certain Economic Crimes (breach of trust), inciting perjury, breach of the Serious Punishment of Certain Crimes Act (bribery), and breach of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. An arrest warrant was requested.
The court sent the arrest consent request to the prosecution on the afternoon of the same day, and President Yoon approved the arrest consent request through electronic approval. On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice submitted a motion to arrest Representative Lee to the National Assembly.
Previous Failed Attempt to Arrest Representative Lee
Last February, the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for CEO Lee due to suspicions of ‘favorable development of Wirye and Daejang-dong’ and ‘illegal donations to Seongnam FC’, but the motion to arrest was rejected in the National Assembly. Now, with a new motion to arrest, the National Assembly must hold an anonymous vote within 72 hours after the Speaker of the National Assembly reports it to the full meeting. It is expected that the proposal to arrest Representative Lee will be reported to the full meeting of the National Assembly on the morning of the 20th and put to a vote on the afternoon of the 21st. Consent will be given with the majority of registered members present and the approval of the majority of members present.
Denial of Charges and Accusation of Political Motives
Representative Lee strongly denied all the charges, stating that President Yoon’s ‘dictatorship of the prosecution’ regime was using the criminal justice system to threaten political opponents and tarnish their reputations. The media reported that Lee believes he is being targeted as part of a wider effort to silence opposition voices.
Starting a hunger strike on the 31st of last month, Representative Lee adopted a frequently used method of political protest during the country’s past military dictatorships. In a press conference last month, he criticized the current administration, accusing them of destroying the constitutional order and democracy of the Republic of Korea. With a determination to defend these values, Lee declared that he was willing to risk his life for the cause.
Furthermore, Representative Lee demanded that the Yoon administration apologize to the public, change the direction of government affairs, file a complaint with the International Maritime Tribunal for the release of contaminated water, reform government affairs and reshuffle the cabinet, and join hands with former President Moon Jae-in.
Opposition to President Yoon’s Policies and Political Attacks
The NYT highlighted the differences between Representative Lee and the Yoon administration on issues such as rising prices, improving relations with Japan, and the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It also analyzed President Yoon’s recent intensified attacks on progressive political opponents, including accusations of conspiracy with North Korea to spread fake news.
Meanwhile, the British Reuters news agency also reported on the same day about CEO Lee’s hunger strike and the prosecution’s request for an arrest warrant. The reasons for Representative Lee’s fast, according to Reuters, include the Yoon Seok-yeol government’s economic mismanagement, suppression of press freedom, and failure to respond effectively to the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
In conclusion, the political landscape in South Korea continues to be marred by investigations and allegations. As the arrest warrant request for Representative Lee moves forward, the country waits to see how the National Assembly will respond and whether the accusations against Lee will be substantiated or proven otherwise.
By Reporter Kwon Yoon-hee
On the 18th (local time), foreign media, including the New York Times (NYT) from the United States and Reuters from the United Kingdom, reported on the hunger strike of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the prosecution’s request for arrest warrant. In particular, NYT highlighted the fact that Representative Lee has become the target of several criminal investigations after losing by a large margin to President Yoon Seok-yeol in the 2022 presidential election. ▲ Representative Lee Jae-myung was transferred.
CEO Lee Jae-myeong, who is on his 19th day of fasting, is transferred to Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 18th. 2023.09.18. In an article titled ‘Korean prosecutors want to arrest opposition leader on hunger strike’, the NYT reported on this day that Korean prosecutors requested a second arrest warrant immediately after Lee was taken into emergency.
On the morning of the 18th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office (Chief Hee-Jun Eom) arrested Representative Lee on charges of violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Certain Economic Crimes (breach of trust), inciting perjury , breach of the Serious Punishment of Certain Crimes Act (bribery), and breach of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act An arrest warrant was requested.
The court sent the arrest consent request to the prosecution on the afternoon of the same day, and President Yoon approved the arrest consent request through electronic approval. On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice submitted a motion to arrest Representative Lee to the National Assembly.
Last February, the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for CEO Lee due to suspicions of ‘favorable development of Wirye and Daejang-dong’ and ‘illegal donations to Seongnam FC’, but the motion to arrest was rejected in the National Assembly.
The National Assembly, which has had a motion to arrest, must hold an anonymous vote within 72 hours after the Speaker of the National Assembly reports it to the full meeting. Therefore, it is expected that the proposal to arrest Representative Lee will be reported to the full meeting of the National Assembly on the morning of the 20th and put to a vote on the afternoon of the 21st. Consent is given with the majority of registered members present and the approval of the majority of members present ▲ Prosecutors request an arrest warrant for Representative Lee Jae-myeong in connection with the ‘Baekhyeon-dong and suspected sending to the North Korea’
On the 18th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office (Chief Hee-Jun Eom) requested an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myeong, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on charges of violating the Aggravated Punishment Act for Specific Economic Crimes (breaking of office) and perjury. The photo shows the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on this day. Newsis explained to NYT that Representative Lee became the target of a series of criminal investigations after losing the presidential election.
However, Rep. Lee strongly denied all the charges, saying Yoon’s ‘dictatorship of the prosecution’ regime was using the criminal justice system to threaten political opponents and tarnish their reputations, the media reported.
In addition, Representative Lee began a hunger strike on the 31st of last month, which the media added was a frequently used method of political protests during the military dictatorship.
At a press conference to mark the first anniversary of his inauguration as party leader last month, Rep. Lee took aim at the current administration, saying, “They are destroying the constitutional order and democracy of the Republic of Korea,” while also adding, “I will stand in the front and go on an indefinite fast with the decision to risk my life to defend it along with the people.” It was said.
At the time, Rep. Lee said, “The Yoon Seok-yeol regime destroyed constitutional order and democracy and declared war on the people. “Starting today, as a citizen, I will start a ‘national protest’ against the incompetent and violent regime,” he said.
He asked the Yoon administration to ▲ apologize to the public and change the direction of government affairs ▲ file a complaint with the International Maritime Tribunal for the release of contaminated water ▲ reform government affairs and reshuffle the cabinet ▲ Former president Moon Jae joined -in hands with party leader Lee Jae-myung.
Former President Moon Jae-in visits Green Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th and meets Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is in the hospital. 2023.09.19. Joint reporting The NYT specifically highlighted the fact that Rep. Lee and the opposition are at odds with the Yoon administration over rising prices, improving relations with Japan, which colonized Korea, and the issue of the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant .
Meanwhile, after coming to power, conservative President Yoon tried to introduce the North Korea policy of the previous Moon Jae-in administration, which emphasized negotiation and reconciliation with North Korea, but several polls showed low approval ratings, with the majority of respondents opposed President Yoon’s performance as president.
Finally, the NYT analyzed that President Yoon has intensified his attacks on progressive political opponents in recent weeks. The media reported that President Yoon also spoke of ‘anti-state forces’, saying that some of his political opponents were conspiring with North Korea to spread fake news.
On the other hand, the opposition criticized President Yoon for deepening political polarization, the media explained.
In addition, the British Reuters news agency also reported on the same day that CEO Lee was fasting and the prosecution requested an arrest warrant.
Reuters cited the Yoon Seok-yeol government’s economic mismanagement, suppression of press freedom, and failure to respond to the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant as the reasons for Rep. Lee’s fast.
Reporter Kwon Yoon-hee
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