The South Korean government has officially labeled the 2024 knife attack on President Lee Jae Myung as a terror case. The attack took place while Lee was serving as the Opposition leader, and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok chaired the National Counterterrorism Committee meeting that made this designation.
This marks the first time a specific incident has been classified as terrorism since the Counter-Terrorism Act was enacted in 2016. The stabbing of Lee, who was then the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, is now recognized as an act of terrorism, allowing for further investigation under the law.
Lee was stabbed in the neck by a 67-year-old man during a visit to Busan on January 2, 2024. Following the attack, he underwent surgery and was hospitalized for treatment. The suspect, apprehended at the scene, confessed that his intent was to assassinate Lee.
The government vows to conduct a thorough investigation into the case and enhance security measures for major political figures during election campaigns to prevent similar incidents. The National Investigation Headquarters has formed a task force to investigate the incident transparently and objectively.
Political violence has a history in South Korea, with past attacks on prominent figures like Park Geun-hye, Park Chung Hee, and Mark W Lippert. The recent attack on Song Young-gil in 2022 underscores the need for robust security measures for public officials.
