Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attack on South Korean Opposition Leader

July 5, 2024, Seoul, South Korea — The assailant who violently stabbed South Korea’s opposition leader earlier this year has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, as announced by court officials on Friday.

In January, the attacker, armed with a knife, assaulted Lee Jae-myung, head of the liberal Democratic Party, during a public event in Busan. Initially posing as a supporter seeking an autograph, the assailant inflicted severe neck wounds with the intent to kill. He was swiftly apprehended by police at the scene and later confessed to investigators that his motive was to prevent Lee from assuming the presidency.

The Busan District Court, in its verdict, convicted the perpetrator on charges of attempted murder and violating election laws, highlighting the gravity of the assault that reverberated across South Korea’s political landscape.

Both the convicted individual and prosecutors have been granted a one-week window to appeal the court's decision, underscoring procedural fairness in the aftermath of sentencing.

The attack occurred amid the build-up to South Korea’s pivotal parliamentary elections in April, which saw Lee’s Democratic Party and other opposition factions achieve a significant electoral triumph over President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative administration.

The court’s verdict, reported by Yonhap news agency, characterized the incident as “a serious challenge” to the country’s electoral integrity and a setback for democratic principles, citing its detrimental impact on societal trust and consensus.

While the court refrained from disclosing the attacker's full identity for privacy reasons, local police previously disclosed that he is approximately 67 years old.

Following the assault, Lee Jae-myung underwent an eight-day hospitalization that included surgery and extensive medical treatment before being discharged from a Seoul hospital. Upon his release, Lee called for an end to the “politics of animosity” in South Korea, emphasizing the need for national unity amidst political divisions.

During police interrogations, the assailant expressed frustration over perceived shortcomings in authorities’ handling of corruption allegations against Lee. His motive, as revealed during investigations, aimed to undermine Lee’s party in the parliamentary elections and thwart any presidential aspirations, intending to influence the political landscape in his favor.

While Democratic Party officials confirmed the attacker’s recent affiliation with their party, the ruling People Power Party clarified that he is not currently a member. Media reports identified the individual by the surname Kim, noting his prior associations with the People Power Party’s predecessor.

Lee Jae-myung, renowned for his outspoken demeanor as a former provincial governor, narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon Suk Yeol, a former chief prosecutor. Their closely contested electoral rivalry and subsequent political tensions have exacerbated South Korea’s enduring conservative-liberal divide.

Early surveys suggest Lee is a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election, while Yoon is legally barred from seeking reelection, foreshadowing ongoing political dynamics and shifts within the nation’s political landscape.