The leader of South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed in the neck by an unknown person. The attack took place while he was visiting the southern port city of Busan. South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is now conscious and has been transferred to a local university hospital, a party official and a fire department official said, according to Reuters.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, Lee Jae-myung was attacked by an unknown person on Tuesday while he was visiting an airport terminal. As a result of the attack, he has a one centimeter deep wound on his neck. In pictures released to the media, it can be seen that the assailant was between 50 and 60 years old, wearing a crown made of paper on his head with the name Lee Jay written on it.
According to reports, the man approached Lee Jay while asking for his autograph and then suddenly proceeded to attack him. According to Yonhap news agency, the attacker was immediately arrested at the scene. In video clips broadcast on television and on social media platform X, a man can be seen raising his arm and lunging at Lee Ke Myung, who then falls to the ground. In the photos, Lee is seen lying on the ground with his eyes closed, and people are pressing a handkerchief around his neck.
President Yoon Suk-yol condemned the attack, saying it was “an unacceptable act.” He expressed concern for Lee Jae-myung and directed that the best care be taken so that he can recover quickly. Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung was defeated by former Chief Prosecutor Yoon in the 2022 presidential election. Lee Jae faces trial for allegedly accepting bribes in a development project while serving as mayor of Seongnam. He has termed these allegations as a ‘political conspiracy’. Lee Jae-myung has been leading the main opposition party since August 2022. South Korea’s upcoming parliamentary elections will be held in April this year.