Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Main opposition party chief attacked during visit to Busan
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung lies on the ground after being attacked with a knife while visiting a proposed airport site in Busan, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
Politicians denounce assault as attack on democracy
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant during a visit to Busan on Tuesday.
Lee sustained a cut on the left side of his neck at approximately 10:27 a.m. The assailant, identified as a man surnamed Kim in his 60s, stabbed Lee while he was talking to reporters during his tour of a proposed site for a new airport in the city. Video footage captured the moment when the man, wearing a blue paper crown inscribed with the slogan "I am Lee Jae-myung," approached Lee, apparently asking for his autograph. Suddenly, the assailant lunged at the politician, stabbing him with a knife.
The attacker was immediately subdued and arrested by the surrounding crowd and police officers. Lee collapsed to the ground as his aides surrounded him and applied pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
Police officers and Democratic Party of Korea officials subdue an unidentified man who attacked the party's Chairman Lee Jae-myung with a knife during his visit to a proposed airport site in Busan, Tuesday. Yonhap
Lee was transported to Pusan National University Hospital about 20 minutes after the stabbing took place, and was later moved to Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul by helicopter for surgery.
According to police and DPK officials, Lee sustained a 1.5-centimeter wound to his neck but did not lose consciousness.
DPK spokesperson Rep. Kwon Chil-seung informed reporters that Lee underwent a two-hour surgery to repair his jugular vein and is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit.
The assailant, aged 67, was apprehended at the scene and taken to a police station. He was identified as a resident of South Chungcheong Province and purchased the knife online. He reportedly told police that he "wanted to kill Chairman Lee," and authorities have indicated their intention to charge the individual with attempted murder.
Kwon said the party has yet to confirm whether the assailant is a member of the DPK or the ruling People Power Party (PPP).
Lee was scheduled to tour Busan and surrounding South Gyeongsang Province to listen to public opinions on the airport project and to meet former President Moon Jae-in at his residence in Yangsan.
"We strongly condemn this attack," DPK Rep. Jung Chung-rae told reporters at Seoul National University Hospital. "This is a serious threat and a challenge to democracy. Despite this barbaric act of terrorism, the DPK will not surrender and will remain steadfast for the people."
The DPK will hold an emergency meeting of its lawmakers on Wednesday, according to DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo. Hong urged party members to remain calm and avoid making comments about the attacker or drawing political interpretations of the incident.
Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Supreme Council member Rep. Jung Chung-rae, left, speaks to reporters at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District, Seoul, after the party's Chairman Lee Jae-myung was transported to the hospital for a surgery. At center is DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo. Yonhap
Attack denounced
Hours after the attack, presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung said President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed “deep concern” over Lee’s safety, saying it was “an incident that should have never happened.”
Yoon was quoted as saying, "Society should not tolerate such violence under any circumstances." He instructed the police and relevant law enforcement authorities to swiftly investigate the case and ensure Lee's safety while he is hospitalized and undergoing treatment.
Lee Nak-yon, the former DPK leader who has been at odds with the current chairman over a breakaway party bid, wrote on Facebook, "Violence is the enemy of democracy," and urged a thorough investigation into the attack.
The interim leader of the PPP, Han Dong-hoon, told reporters during his visit to Daejeon, "This is an incident that should have never happened in our society," and conveyed his wish for "Lee's quick recovery."
Former PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok also wrote on Facebook that "engaging in extreme behavior due to differing opinions should never be tolerated under any circumstances."
Moon, the former president, held calls with DPK Supreme Council members and requested that Lee receive comprehensive care.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a Cabinet meeting, "Violence cannot be justified under any circumstance" and added, "An attack on a politician is a serious crime that can sway the very foundation of democracy."
Opposition Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye is attacked with a knife while campaigning in Seodaemun District, Seoul, May 20, 2006. Korea Times file
This is not the first time that a politician was attacked while campaigning.
On March 7, 2022, former DPK Chairman Song Young-gil was attacked by a liberal extremist, who struck him on the head with a hammer during street canvassing for then-DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung in Seodaemun District, Seoul. After undergoing surgery, he returned to the campaign trail a day later, still visibly injured.
A month later, Song's attacker committed suicide while being held at a detention center in Seoul.
In May 2006, former President Park Geun-hye was attacked when she was head of the Grand National Party, which is now the PPP. The attacker slashed her face with a box cutter while she was canvassing for the party's candidate, Oh Se-hoon, who was running for Seoul mayor in Seodaemun District.
The attack ironically provided a boost to the conservative party’s campaign in the May 31, 2006, local elections.
After reports emerged that Park's first comment following her surgery was an inquiry about the campaigning situation in the Daejeon mayoral election, the party's candidate secured an unexpected victory. This led to the Grand National Party winning in 12 out of 16 metropolitan city mayor and provincial governor posts.
The attacker, surnamed Ji, was sentenced by a court to 10 years in prison on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and attempted threats, but did not recognize the crime as an attempted murder.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert is seen moments after being attacked during a public speech event in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, March 5, 2015. Yonhap
Although he is not a Korean politician, former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert was also attacked with a knife during a public speech in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, in March of 2015.
The attacker, Kim Ki-jong, a member of a progressive extremist group, inflicted multiple wounds on Lippert's left arm and the right side of his face. Kim was sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges including attempted murder.
Lippert underwent surgery and needed 80 stitches but remained composed. After the surgery, he took to Twitter, stating, "Will be back ASAP to advance U.S.-ROK alliance." His response was widely praised as an exemplary way to handle the incident as a diplomat.