South Korean Opposition Leader Hospitalized After 19-Day Hunger Strike

South Korea's main opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, was hospitalized on Monday after undertaking a 19-day hunger strike in protest of government policies, according to his party. In a separate development, prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Lee over corruption allegations shortly after his hospitalization. Lee, 58, initiated his hunger strike on August 31, citing the government's "incompetent and violent" policies as the primary reason for his protest. He specifically criticized the government's failure to challenge Japan's decision to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear reactor. Media footage portrayed Lee as pale and weakened, and his hospitalization did not deter prosecutors from seeking his arrest. South Korea's Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon commented on the situation during a parliamentary session, stating, "Whether to fast or not and how to fast is a matter of personal freedom, but it should not affect the investigation or trial." He expressed concern that setting such a precedent could lead to individuals using hunger strikes to avoid legal proceedings. Lee faces bribery allegations related to a company suspected of illicitly transferring $8 million to North Korea. Additionally, he is accused of breaching his duties during his tenure as the mayor of Seongnam city, which allegedly resulted in a loss of 20 billion won ($15 million) for a city-owned company. Lee vehemently denies all allegations. For a court to consider the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant, Lee's parliamentary immunity would need to be lifted by the 300-member National Assembly, where the Democratic Party, led by Lee, holds a majority. Lee's party condemned the arrest warrant, characterizing it as a reflection of the "violent and oppressive" nature of President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration in a statement. The ruling People Power Party has called on Lee to end his hunger strike and expressed willingness to engage in discussions regarding his policy concerns once he has recovered. Lee's political journey has been marked by his rise from a former child factory worker who suffered an industrial accident as a teenage school dropout. However, his bid for the presidency has been overshadowed by various scandals, including questions about a land development deal and rumors linking him to organized crime. Several individuals connected to these scandals have died under suspicious circumstances, with some appearing to be suicides. Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the presidential election last year by a margin of 0.7 percent.