Lee Jae-myung, the head of South Korea's opposition party, was stabbed in the neck during a press conference on Monday.
Lee, 59, leads South Korea’s liberal opposition party. He lost the 2022 election to Yoon Suk Yeol of the People Power Party by the narrowest margin in the nation's history.
Lee was visiting the site of a proposed new airport in the southern port city of Busan and speaking to reporters at around 10:30 a.m. when the attack occurred. BREAKING: South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck
https://t.co/6uMGtTkYfr
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 2, 2024
The attacker approached Lee and pretended to ask for an autograph before lunging forward and stabbing him.
Videos of the incident show Lee collapsing to the ground immediately after the attack.
Lee was immediately transported to the Busan National University Hospital, where he was reportedly conscious while being treated. He was later taken to Seoul in a helicopter for surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, according to a report from the Washington Post. South Korea's political opposition, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed in the neck while speaking to reporters. He has been airlifted to hospital where doctors say he is in a stable condition. pic.twitter.com/O5srIcfV2L
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 2, 2024
The Post reports:The crowd around Lee overwhelmed the attacker, who appeared to be posing as one of his supporters. The assailant was wearing a headpiece that expressed support for Lee and asked for an autograph, according to Yonhap news agency. The man was apprehended by police, and his motive remains unknown.
Democratic Party spokesman Kwon Chil-seung told reporters during a briefing that the attacker was believed to have used a sashimi knife. Medical staff suspected Lee may have damage to his jugular vein and were concerned about excessive bleeding, he said. Quick thoughts: In S. Korea, as in many countries, ardent political supporters exist. What sets it apart is the unique phenomenon of politicians having dedicated fan clubs. The man who stabbed Lee Jae-myung clearly pretended to be one of those fans wearing a paper crown. https://t.co/aUfEMyd2yH pic.twitter.com/uYwjr8Y3IP
“This incident is a terror attack to Representative Lee Jae-myung and a serious threat to democracy that should not happen under any circumstances,” Kwon said.
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2024
The attacker's name and motive were not made public by the time of publishing.
Yoon expressed "deep concern" over the situation. Developing: Leader of S. Korea's main opposition Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck by a man during his visit to Busan.
Lee was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Seoul National University, injuries said not to be life-threatening. pic.twitter.com/s7MyxxcyIb
— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 2, 2024
“The president emphasized that such acts of violence should not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the presidential office said in a statement, according to the Post report.
