South Korean Opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung Recovering After Shocking Knife Attack
In a startling turn of events, South Korea’s Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, is now in intensive care following a recent knife attack. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political landscape just three months ahead of a crucial election.
Lee survived a terror-driven stabbing, enduring over two hours of surgery to fix a critical neck blood vessel. This incident raises worries about the security of prominent political figures, despite stringent gun ownership rules.
Democratic Party floor leader Hong Ik-pyo emphasized the need for a swift investigation and heightened security measures for political leaders. The incident has reignited discussions about the safety of campaign trails in a nation with a history of political violence.
Witness Jin Jeong-hwa, a party supporter present during the stabbing, stressed the necessity for dedicated and professional security for political leaders beyond routine police monitoring. He highlighted the vulnerability of opposition leaders like Lee at public events.
Lee, known for his progressive stance, had been rallying the party to maintain its parliamentary majority against the conservatives led by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The upcoming April 10 election holds significant weight as conservatives aim to reclaim a majority and support Yoon’s pro-business agenda.
The attack, captured in footage of the public event, drew condemnation from both Lee’s party and political rivals. President Yoon labeled it as an attack on liberal democracy and wished Lee a speedy recovery.
Lee, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was airlifted from Busan to Seoul for surgery to reconstruct the damaged jugular vein. As of now, he is conscious and recuperating in the intensive care unit.
The suspect, swiftly apprehended at the scene, is a man born in 1957, possibly planning the attack for days with an 18-cm camping knife. Both political parties have called for restraint in comments that could incite further tension.
Lee’s loss to Yoon in the presidential election by less than 1% has been followed by bribery allegations related to a development project during his tenure as a city mayor. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing.