elect Security for Presidential Candidates Tightened
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Security for presidential candidates has been tightened since independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang was hit in the face by eggs hurled by a protester during his visit to a market in Daegu, Tuesday.
Lee's aides Wednesday asked police to increase security to protect the candidate from possible violent attacks during the campaign.
The recent attack and a series of threats against Lee, a former Supreme Court judge, has caused his aides to seek stricter security measures to shield the candidate against violence.
Lee was campaigning in Daegu, which was once his stronghold when he ran for the presidency in 1997 and 2002.
A 32-year old man threw an egg at his face and security staff immediately surrounded him to protect him from further attacks.
The man was arrested by police and confessed that he was overly disappointed by the former Grand National Party (GNP) chairman running against the party nominee in the presidential race.
The independent candidate also received a phone call from a man who threatened to kill him with an air rifle. Police arrested him and an investigation is now underway.
GNP nominee Lee Myung-bak, a former Seoul mayor, also expressed worries over the two cases and asked the party and its members to be cautious, not to go too far over issues involving the independent candidate.
The GNP candidate said he foresees that the former Supreme Court judge will work together with the GNP in the election someday so party members should pay due respect to the independent candidate.
The former Supreme Court judge also became the target of an attack from the former Seoul mayor's loyal supporter.
Television actor Baek Il-seop said Tuesday at a GNP event that the former Supreme Court judge's defecting from the party and running for the presidency is an act that ``could cause him to be a victim of violence.''
In blunt terms, the celebrity advised the independent candidate ``not to go out at night'' as he was afraid that Lee could be battered by angry GNP supporters.
Aides to Lee Hoi-chang urged the GNP to clarify its official position regarding the case of ``verbal abuse,''
A spokeswoman of the former judge commented that Baek's remarks raised a question as to if this country is genuinely based on the rule of law.
The main opposition party has so far not released a statement regarding the matter.