South Korea Opposition Leader Stabbed In The Neck While On Visit To Busan

Lee, who leads the Democratic Party of Korea and narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was addressing reporters at a news conference during the visit, when a 66-year-old man reportedly approached him for an autograph. He then lunged forward and stabbed the politician with an 18cm knife which the attacker said he bought online, police said at a media briefing. The attacker was immediately overpowered and arrested.

The 59-year-old was airlifted to hospital. Doctors say the wound is not life-threatening. The attacker reportedly said he had intended to kill Lee. The motive for the attack is unclear.

Videos circulating on social media show Lee first collapsing into the crowd and then onto the ground, as several people try to restrain the attacker. Photographs after the incident show Lee lying on the ground with his eyes closed as someone presses a handkerchief to the side of his neck.

Prosecutors plan to bring attempted murder charges against the attacker.

South Korea has strict gun control laws and most public figures are not usually under tight security protection. The country's crime rate is generally low, although the country saw a rise in mass stabbing attacks last year.

A Lee's party spokesman, Kwon Chil-seung said medical staff suspected an injury to his jugular vein, which carries blood from the head to the heart. He would have to undergo surgery "quickly" as they were concerned about further bleeding. He added that they saw the attack as "a clear act of democracy destruction."

Parties and politicians across the political spectrum condemned the brazen daytime attack which shocked the nation. President Yoon Suk Yeol's office quoted him as saying South Korea "should not tolerate such acts of violence under any circumstance."

Lee's loss by mere 0.73% difference in votes to Yoon, was the closest presidential race in South Korean history. He was a former civil rights attorney, and is widely expected to stand in the 2027 presidential elections. He currently holds a seat in Incheon in South Korea's legislature.

In September, a court dismissed a request from the prosecution for Lee to be held in custody while he awaited trial. Prosecutors are investigating him on a number of cases linked to corruption while he was in office. The dismissal came three weeks after he staged a 19-day hunger strike to protest Yoon's foreign and domestic policies, ending with a hospital treatment.