South Korean Opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung Stabbed in Neck During Public Appearance
In a shocking incident on Tuesday, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the South Korean opposition party, was stabbed in the neck while interacting with reporters in the port city of Busan.Jae-myung had just visited the site of a new airport and was walking through a crowd of journalists when a man in front of him suddenly lunged, striking him in the neck, as seen in footage broadcasted on South Korean television channels.The 59-year-old political figure collapsed to the ground, prompting immediate assistance from those nearby.
A bystander was seen pressing a handkerchief against Jae-myung’s neck.Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker approached Jae-myung while he was walking to his car and asked for an autograph before the assault occurred. The weapon used appeared to be a knife.
Emergency responders swiftly transported Jae-myung to the hospital, initially by helicopter, as reported by the Yonhap news agency. Despite bleeding, he remained conscious during the transfer to Pusan National University Hospital.Kwon Chil-seung, an MP from Lee’s Democratic Party, condemned the attack outside the hospital, characterizing it as an “act of terror” against Lee and a “serious threat to democracy.” He called for a thorough police investigation into the incident.
Police in Busan stated that Jae-myung sustained a “one-centimetre laceration on his neck” and remained conscious with minor bleeding. The assailant, captured on TV footage wearing a hat with Jae-myung’s name on it, was promptly arrested.Lee Jae-myung, a former child factory worker with a rags-to-riches story, lost in the 2022 presidential race to conservative Yoon Yeol, marking one of South Korea’s tightest electoral contests.
Yoon expressed deep concern for Jae-myung’s safety and emphasized society’s intolerance for such acts of violence.Despite a series of scandals, Jae-myung is expected to run for president again in 2027, with recent polls indicating continued public support. He faces charges of corruption, bribery, and breaching duties, maintaining his denial of all allegations.
In September, a court dismissed a prosecution request for his arrest on corruption charges, and he awaits trial for alleged bribery and other accusations. Last year, Jae-myung launched a hunger strike against the government’s policies, leading to hospitalization after 19 days of fasting due to related health issues.Credit Punch News