A Buddhist nun whose hunger strike in February 2005 led to the suspension of tunnelling on part of a high-speed railway between Seoul and Busan while an environmental impact assessment was carried out, is in critical condition in hospital following further protests.
Jiyul, 48, was admitted to the Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu after she resumed the fast last September after the government allowed work on the 13km tunnel to proceed after the environmental assessment was completed.
The tunnel is being built through Mount Cheonseong near Busan, but environmental groups claim the area provides a habitat for about 30 rare animals and plants species which would be adversely if the tunnel was completed.
