Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung survives neck stabbing

South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when a man, masquerading as a supporter, stabbed him in the neck with an 18-centimetre knife at a construction site in Busan.

The assailant, a man in his 60s, was swiftly apprehended by police at the scene.

The incident unfolded as Lee was conversing with reporters, with the attacker posing as a fan seeking an autograph.

Startling TV footage captured the moment Lee collapsed after being struck on the left side of his neck.

Quick-thinking individuals rushed to assist him, applying a handkerchief to staunch the bleeding before emergency responders transported him to a local university hospital.

Although the wound was not life-threatening, Lee, 59, was later flown to Seoul for surgery. Party officials confirmed that the damage narrowly missed the jugular vein, a stroke of fortune noted by hospital sources.

“This is an act of terror against Lee and a serious threat to democracy that should never occur under any circumstances,” remarked Kwon Chil-seung, an MP from Lee’s Democratic Party, condemning the attack outside the hospital in Busan.

The assailant, displaying a pro-Lee slogan, is currently in police custody, with authorities investigating his motives.

The attack comes as a grim reminder of past assaults on South Korean politicians, including Song Young-gil in 2022 and Park Geun-hye in 2006.

Presidential contender Lee, who lost the 2022 election, has faced a tumultuous journey, marked by corruption charges and scandals.

Despite these challenges, recent polls indicate his enduring popularity as a potential candidate for the 2027 presidential race.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the conservative who defeated Lee in 2022, expressed “deep concern” over the incident, emphasizing that such acts of violence should be unequivocally condemned.

Lee’s political journey, riddled with controversies, includes a hunger strike in August last year against perceived government policies, as well as facing ongoing trials on corruption charges.

The brazen attack on Lee Jae-myung has sent shockwaves through the South Korean political landscape, prompting renewed discussions on the safety of public figures and the need for heightened security measures.