By SEOUL, South Korea — Lee Jae-myung, the 59-year-old leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the city of Busan on Tuesday. The attacker, who posed as a supporter, approached Lee under the guise of getting an autograph before carrying out the assault.
Lee was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital where his condition remains unknown. Although he is conscious and not in critical condition, the extent of his injuries is yet to be determined.
The attack occurred as Lee was departing from a tour of Busan’s new airport site, walking through a crowd of journalists and bystanders. Witnesses reported seeing Lee slump to the ground after being stabbed, with someone urgently applying pressure to his neck to stop the bleeding. Videos circulating on social media captured the attacker being chased down and apprehended by several individuals.
The Democratic Party denounced the incident as a “terrorist attack on Lee” and a grave threat to democracy. Party spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung called on the police to prioritize an extensive probe into the matter.
Due to concerns about Lee’s injuries, including a potentially damaged jugular vein and significant bleeding, he is being airlifted to a hospital in Seoul for surgery. The exact details of his condition were not disclosed by hospital officials.
It is worth noting that Lee narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by only 0.7 percentage points, making it the closest margin ever recorded in a South Korean presidential election.
Lee’s Critical Stance and Hunger Strike
Since suffering a defeat in the election, Lee has emerged as a vocal critic of Yoon’s key policies. In an unprecedented move, he launched a 24-day hunger strike last year to express his disapproval of Yoon’s handling of various issues. These included what he believed to be a failure to oppose Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, mismanagement of the post-pandemic economy, and hardline measures regarding North Korea.
Corruption Allegations and Political Vendetta
Alongside his criticisms, Lee is currently facing multiple corruption allegations. One specific accusation claims that he provided illicit favors to a private investor who profited greatly from a questionable housing project in the city of Seongnam, where Lee served as mayor for ten years until 2018. Despite vehemently denying any legal wrongdoing, Lee has accused Yoon’s government of pursuing a politically motivated vendetta against him.
Legal Immunity and Divisions within the Democratic Party
In September of last year, a South Korean court rejected a request for Lee’s arrest warrant, citing insufficient evidence that he would tamper with or destroy any potentially incriminating material. This court hearing was scheduled following the opposition-controlled parliament’s decision to revoke Lee’s immunity to arrest. This move highlighted the growing divisions within Lee’s own Democratic Party concerning his ongoing legal challenges.
Iconoclastic Persona and Polarizing Views
As the former governor of Gyeonggi province, which surrounds Seoul, Lee has earned a reputation for his outspoken style. His ardent supporters hail him as an anti-elitist champion who can revolutionize establishment politics, root out corruption, and tackle the widening economic disparities in society. However, critics perceive him as a dangerous populist who thrives on sowing division and demonizing his conservative adversaries.
A Self-Made Journey and Political Advancement
Lee’s personal story is one of resilience and determination. Having faced physical challenges due to an arm disability from his time working in a factory as a young boy, he defied the odds and paved his own path through education. Eventually, he overcame the notoriously difficult bar exam, earning the title of a human rights lawyer.
The Scandal That Ignited Lee’s Rise
In 2005, Lee joined a precursor to the Democratic Party. At that time, he was a relative political outsider. However, his trajectory changed dramatically with the eruption of a colossal corruption scandal from 2016 to 2017. This scandal ultimately led to the removal of then-conservative President Park Geun-hye and propelled Lee to the forefront of public attention.
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