WORLD : Korea’s Fasting Kim in Hospital
Veteran South Korean politician Kim Dae Jung was forcibly taken to a hospital by his supporters today on the eighth day of his hunger strike for democratic reforms, witnesses said.
Kim, 66, was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in western Seoul after refusing to end his protest over the weekend despite pleas from his supporters.
Doctors said he suffered from low blood sugar and dehydration, while news reports said Kim had lost nearly 11 pounds.
A member of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party said that the party had called a meeting for Tuesday to discuss a response and that some officials had shown a softening stance.
About 20 politicians also agreed to support Kim’s protest by going on hunger strikes themselves, starting tonight.
Kim began his fast last Monday to win concessions from President Roh Tae Woo, including promises to hold local elections and to scrap a plan to change the government from a presidential to a cabinet system.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
