Political Fasting and Religious Scrutiny Ignite Debate in South Korea
A growing political and religious controversy is unfolding in South Korea, centering on a week-long fast by a prominent opposition figure and subsequent scrutiny of religious involvement in politics. The situation has escalated with concerns over the health of the fasting politician and accusations of political maneuvering from both sides.
On January 21, Pastor Lee Young-hoon of Youido Full Gospel Church, along with Pastor Bae Gwang-sik, chairman of the Presbyterian Church of Korea Joint Jeung-gyeong General Assembly, visited Jang Dong-hyuk, a representative of the People Power Party, who had been engaged in a seven-day fast at the Rotender Hall of the National Assembly. The visit, disclosed on social media by former People Power Party representative Kim Ki-hyun, included a photograph featuring Kim and Representative Cho Bae-sook.
Kim Ki-hyun stated, “I visited CEO Jang Dong-hyuk with pastors Young-hoon Lee and Gwang-sik Bae to give him strength through prayer,” adding, “Now that he is in an extreme state of going back and forth between life and death, I had no choice but to pray with an earnest heart.” The situation is particularly dire, with reports indicating Jang’s oxygen saturation levels had reached dangerous levels the previous afternoon. Medical staff recommended an immediate transfer to a hospital, but Jang refused, necessitating the use of a medical oxygen generator. “I am really worried that his health may be seriously damaged,” Kim Ki-hyun confessed.
The fast is a protest demanding a special prosecutor to investigate unspecified matters, and Kim Ki-hyun sharply criticized the response from the ruling party and President Lee Jae-myung, calling their behavior “truly deplorable, ridiculing this with childish words and actions.”
Adding another layer to the controversy, President Lee Jae-myung announced during a New Year’s press conference on January 21 that Protestant churches suspected of violating the principle of separation of church and state were under investigation. This announcement has sparked debate about the boundaries between religious freedom and political neutrality. According to President Lee’s remarks, the recent visit by pastors to offer support to Jang Dong-hyuk could be considered a violation of this separation, as could politicians’ visits to religious institutions during election periods.
This confluence of events raises critical questions about the role of religion in South Korean politics and the limits of political protest. The health of Jang Dong-hyuk remains a central concern, while the investigation into potential violations of the separation of church and state promises to further fuel the ongoing debate.
