The democratic leader of the South Korean opposition, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed in the neck and subsequently admitted to intensive care during a public trip to Busan (southeast of the country) in front of journalists this Tuesday, January 2, 2024. He had undergone an operation, his party said.
Attacker profile, motives… Here's what we know about this assassination attempt aimed at him.
The politician stabbed himself in front of journalists
After touring the site of a new airport, Lee Jae-myung was walking through the port city surrounded by a swarm of journalists and supporters when a man stabbed him in the neck, local television footage showed. The politician “was walking towards his car while speaking to journalists when the attacker asked him for an autograph before attacking him around the neck with what appeared to be a knife.”a witness told local station YTN.
Lee Jae-myung, 59, then collapsed to the ground while several people rushed to his aid and covered his wound.
The victim was urgently taken to hospital
An unconscious Lee Jae-myung was initially taken to Busan National University Hospital, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said. He was then flown to the National University Hospital in the capital Seoul for surgery, according to Kwon Chil-seung, a lawmaker from his Democratic Party.
“Damage to the internal jugular vein was confirmed”said Kwon Chil-seung of the Democratic Party in Seoul after the operation. Lee Jae-myung “Is currently in intensive care and recovering.”he added.
The attacker did not comment on his actions
According to images on South Korean television, police officers struggled with the attacker and pinned him to the ground. The latter wore a headdress with a slogan in favor of Lee Jae-myung on it. The attacker was then arrested and did not comment on the motives for his actions, Yonhap said, citing police sources.
After studying law, his victim, Lee Jae-myung, became a lawyer, human rights specialist and entered politics in 2010. He was hospitalized in September after 19 days of hunger strike to denounce the policy “incompetent and violent” the current conservative government.
Natural candidate for the 2027 presidential election
Lee Jae-myung is expected to run again for the presidential election in 2027. A former worker and governor of Gyeonggi Province, the country's most populous province that surrounds Seoul, he proposed original measures during his 2022 election campaign, including a universal minimum income and free school uniforms.
But his candidacy was marred by a series of scandals. He was particularly criticized for a real estate transaction that was considered dubious. He was also rumored to have ties to the mafia and his wife was accused of illegal use of public funds.
A man who is also suspected of corruption
In September 2023, Lee Jae-myung avoided arrest after a court rejected a prosecutor's request for pretrial detention while he awaited trial on various corruption charges. He is suspected of corruption in connection with a company that allegedly illegally transferred $8 million to North Korea.
Lee Jae-myung is also accused of losing 20 billion won ($15 million) to a company in Seongnam City (Northwest), where he was mayor. He began his working life at the age of 11 in a glove factory. Two years later he suffered an occupational accident. His arm became stuck in a press, resulting in lifelong disability.
The President condemns this “act of violence”
Conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who defeated Lee Jae-myung in the 2022 presidential election, expressed his opinion “deep concern for safety” his opponent, said South Korean presidential spokesman Kim Soo-kyung. He added “That our society should never tolerate this type of violent act, no matter the circumstances.”.
“This is an act of terrorism against Mr. Lee and a serious threat to democracy that should not happen under any circumstances.”Lawmaker Kwon Chil-seung called for an investigation outside Busan Hospital “thorough”.