South Korean opposition leader attacked with knife by autograph seeker
(Baonghean.vn) - Leader of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck while visiting the southern city of Busan on January 2. The politician was later taken to hospital by helicopter.
Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was conscious and receiving emergency treatment after being attacked by an unidentified assailant while visiting a planned airport construction site, Reuters reported, citing South Korean officials.
The attack left Mr. Lee with a wound about 1 centimeter long on his neck, YTN Television reported. Hospital officials did not immediately confirm details of the politician’s injuries.
Lee was taken to Pusan National University Hospital by rescue helicopter, a Democratic Party official and emergency workers told Reuters.
“He is conscious and is being treated at the hospital,” a Democratic official said.
Photos showed the attacker, who appeared to be a man in his 50s or 60s, wearing a paper crown with Mr. Lee’s name on it. Footage from the scene showed the man approaching and asking for an autograph as Mr. Lee spoke to a crowd of supporters and reporters, then charging and attacking him.
Jin Jeong-hwa, a Lee supporter who was at the scene live-streaming the incident, told Reuters that about two dozen police officers were present when the attack occurred. The attacker was quickly subdued, but refused to answer police questions about his motive, according to the Busan Ilbo daily.
Footage aired on YTN Television and another posted on social media platform X showed a man lunging at Mr Lee with his arm outstretched. Mr Lee then grimaced and collapsed to the ground.
News photos showed Mr Lee lying on the ground, eyes closed and bleeding, with several people pressing handkerchiefs to his neck.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol condemned the attack and ordered the best possible care for Lee Jae-myung. “This kind of violence can never be tolerated under any circumstances,” the presidential office quoted Yoon as saying.
