Breaking: PPP Leader Refuses Hospital Transfer As Hunger Strike Enters Week at National Assembly
The head of the People Power party (PPP), Jang Dong-hyuk, is facing mounting health concerns as he remains on a hunger strike inside the National Assembly in Yeouido. He has refused a hospital transfer despite deteriorating health after a week of protest demanding a special investigation into alleged donations linked to the Unification Church and contributions to the Democratic Party of Korea.
On Friday, PPP lawmaker Seo Myeong-ok, a former physician, reported a rapid decline in Jang’s condition. She said 119 emergency responders were dispatched as his blood pressure spiked and his blood sugar dropped. Medical teams reportedly urged urgent transport to a hospital, but Jang declined both transfer and intravenous fluids, signaling his determination to continue the protest.
Health officials warned that delaying treatment could lead to a severe health crisis. Officials noted reduced oxygen saturation and potential damage to brain function and other organs if his condition worsens. In response, lawmakers and medical staff pressed for hospitalisation while arranging private medical support to safeguard his safety should the situation change.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | January 21,2026 |
| Location | National Assembly,Yeouido,seoul |
| Subject | Hunger strike; call for a twin special prosecutor probe into donations |
| Health Update | Rising blood pressure; falling blood sugar; low oxygen levels; risk of organ damage |
| Outcome | Jang refused hospital transfer; no transport occurred on that day |
After a general party meeting,PPP spokesperson Kwak Gyu-taek said there is broad concern about Jang’s health.While discussing how to sustain the protest, he noted that some members favoured ending the hunger strike but that others believed the underlying message should continue through different methods beyond fasting, including sympathy fasting, relay fasting, and demonstrations in front of the Blue House.
Blue House officials weighed in as well. Hong Ik-pyo, the senior secretary for political affairs, visited the national Assembly and declined to comment on the party’s position, suggesting that public officials should refrain from taking sides. He also criticized aggressive rhetoric toward the opposition, saying dialog and compromise had grown scarce.
Party spokesman Park Seong-hoon criticized Hong’s absence from the scene, arguing that politics should remain rooted in moral principles. He suggested the broader political friction between the administration and the opposition has intensified the dispute over how to push for accountability.
As the standoff continues, the incident underscores the friction between protest tactics and public safety, and also the broader debate over political strategy and accountability in Korea’s parliamentary landscape.
Disclaimer: Health details is based on statements from medical and political officials and may evolve as the situation develops.
what should be the balance between principled protest and public health safeguards? How should opposition parties pursue accountability while ensuring the well-being of participants?
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