South Korean Opposition Leader Stabbed in Shocking Attack
Lee Jae-myung, the representative of South Korea’s primary opposition party, the liberal Democratic Party, was stabbed in the neck during his visit to Busan on the morning of 2 Jan today.
The suspect carrying the weapon was apprehended at the scene.
Around 10:27 AM, Mr Lee was conducting a briefing at the construction site of the new airport on Gaduk Island in Gangseo-gu, Busan.
He had just completed a round of questions from journalists, and cameras were fixed on him with a crowd of reporters surrounding him.
In such a high-profile setting, it was unimaginable that someone would choose this moment to attack a public figure.
A “Supporter” Asking For An Autograph
However, the assailant, a 66-year-old man, had cunningly disguised himself as a supporter of Mr Lee’s party.
He even wore a paper crown inscribed with the words “I am Lee Jae-myung.”
Pushing his way through the crowd, he managed to approach Mr Lee, pretending to be a supporter seeking an autograph.
Suddenly, defying everyone’s expectations, he lunged forward with an 18cm knife and stabbed Mr Lee in the neck.
The attack took everyone by surprise, and it was later revealed that the assailant had purchased the knife online, according to Reuters.
Mr Lee In A Serious Bleeding Condition
The force of the attack pushed Mr Lee back into the crowd behind him, and he collapsed to the ground.
As he lay there with his eyes closed, a concerned citizen pressed a handkerchief to the side of his neck, repeatedly asking if he was okay.
Witness Kim Woon-seon, 51 years old, described how people at the scene opened umbrellas and surrounded Mr Lee, indicating that he was bleeding heavily, as reported by CBS Nocut News.
Though Mr Lee remained conscious, his condition was critical due to severe bleeding.
He was promptly transported to the Trauma Center at Busan University Hospital.
Medical staff suspected damage to his carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain, raising concerns about potential significant bleeding if not treated promptly, as reported by Kyunghyang News.
Surgery was deemed necessary to address this concern, and he was subsequently transferred to Seoul National University Hospital by helicopter around 1 PM on the same day.
By midafternoon, there had been no official statement regarding Mr Lee’s condition, but local news reports suggested that his injuries were not life-threatening.
In light of the incident, Mr Lee canceled all of his scheduled events for the day, including a planned visit to the residence of former President Moon Jae-in and his wife in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, as well as a luncheon together.
The motive behind the attack remains undisclosed, and the police in Busan detained the assailant for investigation, considering possible charges of attempted murder, as reported by The New York Times.
Is this a random stab? Or are there more stories behind?
While the assailant’s motive remains uncertain, Korean residents, including witnesses at the scene, have begun speculating about possible political motivations.
A resident of Busan, Madam Bae, in her 50s, expressed concern that with the general election approaching, this incident could lead to political conflicts and distractions from pressing issues such as economic recovery and livelihood stability, as reported by CBS Nocut News.
The next National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Election is scheduled for 10 Apr this year, with the next presidential elections set for 2027.
Mr Lee currently holds a seat in Incheon in South Korea’s legislature and is widely expected to run for a seat in the upcoming general election.
His narrow loss in the 2022 presidential election, with a mere 0.73% difference in votes compared to the current President Yoon Suk Yeol, marked the closest presidential race in South Korean history.
President Yoon strongly condemned the attack and instructed that the best care be provided for Mr Lee.
He emphasised that such acts of violence must never be tolerated under any circumstances, according to Reuters.
In response to the incident, the Democratic Party leadership decided to convene an emergency meeting of lawmakers on 3 Jan to discuss Mr Lee’s condition and party operations related to the incident.
Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader, sent a text message to the party’s lawmakers, urging them not to be shaken and to refrain from making political interpretations or mentioning the perpetrator, except for expressing well wishes for Mr Lee’s recovery, as reported by Kyunghyang News.
