In a shocking incident, Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea‘s opposition Democratic Party, was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southern city of Busan on Tuesday. Lee, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was attacked by an unidentified man while touring the proposed site for a new airport. The assailant, believed to be a man in his 50s or 60s, approached Lee under the guise of asking for an autograph, wearing a paper crown with Lee’s name on it.
The attack left Lee with a 1 cm gash on his neck, and he was airlifted to Pusan National University Hospital for treatment. The assailant was quickly subdued by individuals at the scene, including police officers, and refused to provide motives for the attack when questioned by the police.
Lee, who is currently on trial for alleged bribery from his time as mayor of Seongnam, near Seoul, has denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations a “political conspiracy.” The opposition leader has been leading the Democratic Party since August 2022. South Korea’s next parliamentary elections are scheduled for April.
President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned the attack, calling it unforgivable, expressing deep concern for Lee, and instructing the best care to facilitate a speedy recovery. South Korea, despite strict restrictions on gun possession, has a history of political violence involving other weapons. Although major events involving high-profile political leaders have police presence, close security protection is not the norm.
This incident echoes previous instances of political violence in South Korea, including an attack on Lee’s predecessor, Song Young-gil, in 2022, and an attack on then-conservative opposition leader Park Geun-hye in 2006. The country also saw an attack on the then-U.S. ambassador in 2015. The motive behind the recent attack on Lee remains unclear as investigations continue.
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