South Korean opposition leader stabbed in the neck in Busan

South Korean opposition leader stabbed in the neck in Busan

January 01, 2024 10:11 PM

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed by a man while attending an event in the city of Busan at around 10:30 a.m. local time Tuesday.

Lee was visiting the construction site of a new airport in Busan, the second most populous city in South Korea, when he was attacked by an unidentified person with a knife-like object, according to the Associated Press.

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South Korean national broadcaster KBS reported that the incident occurred at 10:27 a.m. local time on Tuesday, with Lee bleeding immediately after he was attacked. Lee was immediately transported to the hospital but was “not gravely injured,” according to the outlet.

The assailant reportedly pretended to be a supporter of Lee’s before attacking and was immediately detained by law enforcement. The alleged assailant appeared to be in his 50s or 60s and had asked for an autograph before attacking, according to Reuters.

Lee Jae-myung
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is seen after he was injured in Busan, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Lee was attacked and injured by an unidentified man during a visit Tuesday to the southeastern city of Busan, emergency officials said. (Sohn Hyung-joo/Yonhap via AP)

Sohn Hyung-joo/AP

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Graphic video captured at the event shows the violent incident unfold in a matter of seconds, with Lee falling to the ground and the attacker, wearing an item resembling a crown on his head, being taken away quickly. The crowd seemed shocked by the attack.

Lee is the leader of the Democratic Party in South Korea. He was the party’s candidate in the 2022 presidential election but lost to the People Power Party’s Yoon Suk Yeol by nearly 250,000 votes.

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