Seoul ( AsiaNews) - After less than a day in the hospital , the man who set himself on fire to demand the resignation of South Korean President Park Geun - hye is dead. The victim, identified only by the surname Lee (pictured), left a message before killing himself in which he asked the government for " justice and truth " about the electoral fraud of 2012 and the South Korean people to " stand up for democracy" .
The suicide took place in the afternoon of 31 December. Lee, who had joined the nationwide strike called for the end of the year, was demonstrating on a flyover in Seoul near the central station. He had posted two placards calling for the resignation of the Park and the creation of a team of investigation on Secret Service interference in national politics. In addition, he had his hands tied behind his back by a chain.
A store clerk in Seoul, Lee had studied for the entrance examination for the civil service. Before setting himself on fire , he wrote his last message . The text reads: "Although Park's government has intervened in the general election through NIS, the truth was hidden while only regarded as personal deviation. This is clear infringement upon democracy. I will bear all the fears on behalf of the public. Everyone, please stand up for it "
The funeral will be held this afternoon at the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital , where Lee was hospitalized after his self- immolation. The family , however, has also decided to allow a public celebration to be held at the railway station in Seoul on January 4: more than 286 civic groups have announced their intention to attend the funeral .
Seoul , man who set himself on fire to demand Park’s resignation dies
The victim, identified only as Lee, held his demonstration on a flyover in the capital. In his last message before killing himself he asked the government to "tell the truth " about the electoral fraud of 2011 and the South Korean people to " stand up " for democracy .
