A violent incident involving an unidentified attacker occurred during a public appearance by Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea. The assailant wore a paper crown bearing the words I am Lee Jae-myung while confronting the politician during a session that took place as Lee interacted with journalists near the site of a proposed new airport in Busan, according to footage released by the Yellin Kongan TV channel.
The channel aired the full video of the assault, which happened as Lee Jae-myung was addressing the press and engaging with members of the public at the Busan location. Eyewitnesses described the suspect as a person who claimed to be among the politician’s supporters. He reportedly approached Lee to obtain a signature and then struck the interlocutor with a weapon measuring roughly 20 to 30 centimeters. Security personnel detained the attacker at the scene, stopping the incident from escalating further.
Lee Jae-myung was transported to Busan National University Hospital where medical staff reported that he was conscious after the attack. A Democratic Party spokesperson stated that there was a risk of heavy bleeding, prompting officials to arrange further medical care. Later, the opposition leader was moved by helicopter to Seoul for surgical treatment at Seoul National University Hospital, where medical authorities continued to handle the case and monitor his condition.
In response to the attack, South Korea’s President issued instructions to the police and related authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation to determine the motives behind the incident and to identify those responsible. The aim was to ensure accountability and to safeguard participants at public events across the country in the wake of this aggression.
During the same briefing cycle, reports surfaced about a separate incident in Madrid involving an unidentified person who allegedly fired at a Spanish politician named Alejo Vidal Cuadras. The information regarding that event appeared to be unrelated to the Busan incident and originated from a different context and timeline. Authorities have not indicated whether there is any connection between the two events, and the Madrid report has been treated as a separate matter under separate investigative procedures.