South Korean Opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung Stabbed in Neck During Visit to Busan
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck by an unidentified knife-wielding man during his visit to Busan. The incident occurred while Lee was walking through a crowd after a tour of a proposed airport site in Busan. The attacker approached Lee under the guise of wanting an autograph before abruptly stabbing him in the neck.
Lee was swiftly flown to a hospital in Seoul, where he underwent a two-hour surgery to treat his wounds. The attack left his jugular vein damaged, necessitating a medical procedure called revascularization. Concerns about Lee’s health quickly surfaced, prompting President Yoon Suk Yeol to order a thorough investigation into the incident.
Party officials and police acted swiftly to subdue the attacker, who was later detained. The suspect, believed to be in his late 60s, confessed to investigators that he had purchased the knife online. Police are currently investigating the motive behind the attack, and the suspect may face charges of attempted murder.
Lee’s Democratic Party referred to the incident as a “terrorist attack” and called for a comprehensive investigation. Lee had been critical of President Yoon’s policies since narrowly losing the 2022 presidential election. Additionally, Lee has been facing corruption allegations, which he vehemently denies, accusing Yoon’s government of pursuing a political vendetta.
This is not the first instance of violence against high-profile figures in South Korea. Just last month, the leader of the Democratic Party was assaulted with a hammer. In 2015, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea was also attacked with a knife. The history of such incidents highlights the need for enhanced security measures and a thorough evaluation of the safety of public figures.
As Lee recovers from the violent attack, South Koreans remain concerned about the rising instances of violence targeting prominent individuals. Efforts to ascertain the motives behind these attacks and ensure the safety of political figures are crucial for maintaining stability and peace within the country.
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