The leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party was viciously attacked by a knife-wielding assailant during a press conference, and the shocking incident was captured on video.
Lee Jae-myung was participating in a public event surrounded by numerous reporters and TV cameras in South Korea’s port city of Busan, when the attacker approached him under the guise of seeking an autograph, and then suddenly stabbed him in the neck.
In the disturbing footage, Lee can be seen grimacing in agony as he collapses to the ground post the stabbing. Onlookers swiftly apprehended the suspect, who was adorned with a blue, paper crown, tackling him to the pavement.
Another video depicts Lee lying on the ground, unconscious, as someone applies a handkerchief to his neck wound to stem the bleeding.
Following the assault, Lee was swiftly transported to a hospital in Busan, where he received urgent medical attention for his non-life-threatening neck injury, as reported by Reuters. Subsequently, he was airlifted to a medical facility in the capital city of Seoul for further treatment.
According to a South Korean Democratic Party spokesman, Kwon Chil-seung, medical personnel believe that Lee sustained damage to his jugular vein.
Meanwhile, law enforcement promptly responded to the scene and apprehended the 66-year-old perpetrator, who did not provide a motive for the assault. The assailant is reportedly facing an attempted murder charge.