South Korean opposition leader stabbed in autograph ambush
Lee Jae-myung's party claim 'terrorist incident an attack on democracy' but motive remains unclear
South Korea's main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck while touring a construction site in the port city of Busan.
A 67-year-old man was detained after attacking the Democratic Party leader with a 18cm knife on the pretence of asking for an autograph.
Lee was reportedly conscious and not critically injured in the attack. He was taken to a hospital in Busan, then flown to the capital Seoul by helicopter for treatment. He underwent a two-hour operation to remove blood clots and patch up a damaged jugular vein in his neck, Kwon Chil-seung, a spokesman for his party, said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Footage of the attack appears to show the assailant posing as one of Lee's supporters, wearing what appeared to be a paper or plastic crown, bearing the words "I am Lee Jae-myung". His party was quick to declare the incident "a terrorist attack on Lee and a serious threat to democracy", although the Yonhap news agency reported the assailant has so far refused to identify himself or say why he carried out the attack.
The liberal leader is "known for his outspoken style, with supporters seeing him as an anti-elitist crusader", said Sky News, "but critics view him as a populist who stokes divisions and demonises conservative rivals".
He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon Suk-yeol and is currently on trial for alleged bribery related to a development project while mayor of Seongnam, a city near Seoul. He denies the charges and last year went on a three-week hunger strike, accusing the government of using the judicial system to intimidate opponents.
South Korea's politics have become "increasingly polarized in recent years, and rancor between Yoon's supporters and Lee's has been rising" with the approach of parliamentary elections in April, reported The New York Times. "But physical attacks on politicians have been uncommon."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
DOJ demands changes at 'abhorrent' Atlanta jail
Speed Read Georgia's Fulton County Jail subjects inmates to 'unconstitutional' conditions, the 16-month investigation found
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Menendez brothers may go free in LA prosecutor plan
Speed Read Prosecutors are asking for the brothers to be resentenced for the 1989 murder of their parents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea's deepfake porn crisis
The Explainer President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced a crackdown but is a wider issue being ignored?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Southport knife attack: third child dies of injuries
Speed Read Taylor Swift shares her condolences after young fans targeted at pop-themed dance class
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published