PPP leader launches hunger strike over special probe bills on Unification Church, bribery allegations

Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, and party lawmakers stage a rally to protest the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's push to pass a special counsel probe bill to investigate former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law, corruption allegations surrounding his wife and the death of a Marine, at the National Assembly, Thursday. Yonhap

The leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) began a hunger strike Thursday, demanding the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) accept special probe bills on an alleged bribery scandal involving the Unification Church and alleged bribery linked to election nominations.

The move came as the rival parties clashed during a parliamentary session this day over a separate bill mandating a second round of special counsel investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law, corruption allegations surrounding his wife and the death of a Marine.

PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok claimed that the DPK was rejecting the opposition-led bills "out of fear" that the investigation could reveal a series of corruption cases involving key political figures from DPK leader Jung Chung-rae to senior officials at Cheong Wa Dae.

"The truth does not disappear by covering it up," Jang said. "The PPP will fight together with the minor Reform Party to push for the passage of the bills on the Unification Church and nomination bribery allegations."

PPP lawmakers staged a rally at the National Assembly and said it would launch a filibuster at the plenary session to block the DPK-backed bill calling for a second round of special counsel investigations.

The conservative PPP has been calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations DPK officials received illegal money from the Unification Church.