BUSAN – The leader of the South Korean opposition, Lee Jae Myung, was stabbed in the neck while holding a press conference during his visit to the port city of Busan on Tuesday (2/1) afternoon.
Lee is the leader of the South Korean Democratic Party, which is currently in opposition to the government.
The incident occurred as Lee was visiting the construction site of a new airport on Gadeok Island southeast of Busan.
An unidentified assailant suddenly attacked Lee and stabbed him in the left side of the neck while he was conducting a question-and-answer session with journalists during the press conference after his visit.
According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the perpetrator was immediately apprehended at the scene. Nevertheless, the motive and identity of the assailant have yet to be determined.
Several photos circulating on social media depict Lee, dressed in a black suit and wearing glasses, lying on the ground after the stabbing occurred.
In some photos, the 59-year-old politician is surrounded by many people trying to assist him, with one person seen applying pressure to the wound on his neck.
Korea Herald reports that Lee has received emergency treatment for the neck injury. However, the details of his condition and the severity of the injuries suffered by Lee are still unclear.
Nevertheless, some South Korean media outlets have reported that Lee’s injuries are quite serious.(clue)