Jang Dong-hyeok of the People Power Party refused to be taken to a hospital even though a 119 ambulance crew was dispatched on the 21st, the seventh day of the hunger strike. Jang has been on a hunger strike since the 15th, urging the Democratic Party of Korea to accept a special counsel investigation into the Unification Church and nomination bribes (twin special counsels).
Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on Facebook on the morning of the day, "Day 7 of the hunger strike, the public sentiment is the will of heaven," adding, "What moves public sentiment is not a special counsel but sincerity." He continued, "Bear this in mind. You can refuse a special counsel, but you cannot refuse public sentiment," and said, "I will be buried here, and the Democratic Party will be buried by public sentiment."
In response, lawmaker Seo Myeong-ok, who is a former doctor, told reporters, "On the seventh day of a hunger strike, damage to all organs and the brain is a concern," adding, "Because we may need to evacuate urgently at any time, we are entering an emergency standby posture and are considering urgently transporting him to a hospital in the afternoon even if he refuses."
Also, all lawmakers from the People Power Party decided to hold an emergency caucus at 2 p.m. and recommend that Jang stop the hunger strike. Accordingly, Floor Leader Song Eon-seog visited Jang and said, "You have shown your intent sufficiently to the public, so now you should go to the hospital, pull yourself together, and reorganize so that we can wage a strong fight against the rival party."
Eventually, at around 3:58 p.m., a 119 ambulance crew was dispatched. The paramedics brought a stretcher and tried to transfer him to a hospital, but Jang refused. The crew withdrew after 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok visited the site of Jang's hunger strike on the morning of the day. He had left the country for parliamentary diplomacy but shortened his schedule and returned early. Lee said, "To strengthen cooperation between the two parties right away, you need to play your role as commander, but I heard since yesterday that your health is very poor and I am worried," adding, "We will prepare a plan for joint action and work together."