Former President Park urges Jang to end hunger strike as PPP vows push

Jan. 22 (Asia Today) -- Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Thursday urged Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the opposition People Power Party, to end his hunger strike, prompting Jang to agree to stop fasting after eight days.

Park visited Jang at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall in Yeouido at about 11:20 a.m., as Jang marked his eighth day of a hunger strike calling for the adoption of dual special prosecutors to investigate alleged wrongdoing involving the Unification Church and nomination bribery cases.

"I was deeply concerned to hear that you were fasting like this, taking only water and salt," Park said. "From the standpoint of political ethics, it is unthinkable that the ruling party has shown no response despite this hunger strike."

She warned that continuing the fast could seriously harm his health and make recovery difficult. Park also rejected criticism that the hunger strike had achieved nothing because the government and ruling party refused to accept the demands.

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"Even if our views differ slightly, the public will recognize the sincerity of your struggle as a politician who risked his life for what he believes is right," she said, adding that more political challenges lie ahead. Park then asked Jang to promise to end the hunger strike that day.

Jang nodded and replied, "I will do so." Park thanked him and said she hoped to meet him again once he recovered his health.

After the meeting, the People Power Party said Jang would be transferred to a hospital for treatment. Although his hunger strike has ended, the party said it would continue pressing the ruling camp to introduce the dual special prosecutor bill.

Floor leader Song Eon-seok said the party would "carry forward the spirit of Jang's hunger strike and wage a strong struggle to pass the dual special prosecutor legislation."

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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