In a shocking turn of events, South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, remains in intensive care following a knife attack. Surgeons operated for over two hours to repair a major blood vessel in his neck, emphasizing the need for heightened security for political figures ahead of a crucial election.
Democratic Party floor leader Hong Ik-pyo labeled the attack as a direct challenge to democracy, calling for a swift investigation and increased security measures for high-profile political figures. The incident has reignited concerns about safety on campaign trails in a country with a history of political violence.
Jin Jeong-hwa, a party supporter and witness to the stabbing, stressed the necessity of dedicated security details for opposition leaders beyond routine police monitoring, citing Lee’s exposure to safety threats at political events.
Lee, a progressive figure, narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election and has been rallying the party to maintain its parliamentary majority against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservatives. With a pivotal election on April 10, the attack has added urgency to discussions about the security of political leaders.
The assault, captured in footage of a public event in Busan, prompted condemnation from both Lee’s party and political rivals. Lee was airlifted to Seoul for surgery, where his jugular vein was reconstructed, and he remains conscious and in recovery in the intensive care unit.
As the conservative People Power Party leader scales back public events in response, both parties urge members to refrain from inflammatory comments during Lee’s recovery. Lee’s narrow loss to Yoon in the 2022 election, combined with bribery allegations, has intensified the political landscape, emphasizing the need for robust security measures in the run-up to the upcoming election.
