South Korea opposition leader starts hunger strike over government policy

By Hyunsu Yim

August 31, 20234:46 PM GMT+9Updated 18 hours ago

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, speaks at campaign rally while campaigning for the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

SEOUL, Aug 31 (Reuters) - South Korea's main opposition leader began a hunger strike on Thursday to protest against government policies, including the passive stance taken over Japan releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific ocean.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, listed an assortment of reasons for his protest at a news conference, without saying how long his hunger strike would last.