Lee Jae-myung, head of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, was stabbed in the neck during a visit to Busan on January 2. After undergoing surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, he has been released. Lee’s supporters warmly greeted him outside the hospital as he addressed the incident.
Wearing a neck band, Lee urged an end to aggressive political agendas aimed at harming opponents. He hoped the attack could spark a shift away from divisive politics towards a culture of mutual respect and coexistence. The assailant admitted targeting Lee to prevent his presidency.