BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA – The recent stabbing of South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has sent shockwaves through the country and underscored the growing political polarization. The attack, which took place in the city of Busan, is being labeled as the most severe assault on a South Korean politician in almost two decades.
According to the police, the attack on Lee was not a spontaneous act of violence but a meticulously planned operation. The alleged assailant, a 66-year-old man, had been plotting the assault for months and even penned an eight-page manifesto outlining his motivations and plans.
This violent incident has highlighted the widening divide between conservatives and liberals in South Korea, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections in April. Lee Jae-myung, a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape, narrowly lost the presidential election in 2022 to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol and currently leads the liberal Democratic Party.
Following the attack, Lee has called for an end to ‘warlike politics’ in South Korea. His plea for peaceful politics comes as the country grapples with the implications of a politically motivated violent attack on its democratic processes.
The alleged assailant is now facing attempted murder charges for the attack on Lee, further emphasizing the severity of the situation. As South Korea continues to navigate through this politically charged climate, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted divisions within the country’s political landscape and the urgent need for unity and peace.