What to Know:
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea‘s main opposition Democratic Party, is in stable condition after he was stabbed in the neck yesterday during a press conference in Busan. The suspect, who remains unidentified, was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
The Attack:
Lee Jae-myung was speaking with reporters after touring a location for proposed airport construction. Authorities say that the suspect, who notably wore a blue crown that said “I am Lee Jae-myung,” asked Lee for an autograph before lunging and stabbing him in the neck with a knife, which was caught on camera. The suspect was then quickly pulled away and subdued.
Video shows the moment South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in his neck at press conference in Busan, South Koreahttps://t.co/o2AHH4jP5o#Korea #SouthKorea #stabbing
— Raw Reporting (@Raw_Reporting) January 2, 2024
Those around Lee quickly attempted to stop the bleeding from his neck as he laid on the ground. He was eventually airlifted to the Seoul National University Hospital, where Democratic Party spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung said that Lee suffered from “suspected damage to his jugular vein,” but was in stable condition, citing doctors.
The Suspect:
So far, authorities have not publicly named the suspect and an exact motive remains unknown. South Korean newspaper Chosen reported that the suspect “seemed like a supporter to everyone” before the attack.