Lee Jae-myung: South Korea opposition leader stabbed in neck on visit to Busan

South Korea's opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, was assaulted during a visit to the city of Busan. Mr. Lee, who narrowly missed winning the 2022 presidential election, suffered a 1cm laceration on the left side of his neck. He was promptly airlifted to a hospital, where doctors confirmed that his injury was not life-threatening.

The assailant, a 66-year-old man, confessed to intending to kill Mr. Lee, as reported by Yonhap news agency. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. The audacious daytime assault sent shockwaves across the nation, eliciting condemnation from various political parties and politicians, including the incumbent President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Mr. Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was addressing reporters at a news conference during a visit to a construction site in Busan's port when the attacker approached him under the guise of seeking an autograph. The assailant then lunged at Mr. Lee with an 18cm knife he had purchased online. The police swiftly subdued and arrested the attacker. Prosecutors are considering pressing attempted murder charges against the man.