Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung 이재명 민주당 당대표 was attacked on the morning of January 2, 2024 as he was visiting a proposed airport site near Busan 부산. A man in his 50s, posing as a supporter, approached Lee and stabbed him in the neck. The assailant was immediately arrested.
Lee was the presidential candidate for the liberals who ran against President Yoon Suk-yeol 윤석열 대통령 in May 2022. As the leader of the liberal opposition, Lee had been subject to numerous raids and legal charges by the Yoon administration, as well as hyperbolic claims against him by far-right pundits. Reportedly, Lee remains conscious and is being rushed to hospital via helicopter.
Busan Fire Agency reported that Lee suffered a stab wound of 1 centimeter in his neck, which is not life-threatening.
This is a developing story. More detail will be provided as it becomes available.