The knife attack on Lee Jae-Myung

The attack shakes South Korea - could spark divisions  

 

The knife attack against South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung has sent shock waves throughout the country, writes the New York Times. South Korea has fought hard to build democracy and peace after a long history of political and military violence, but now concerns are growing that political extremism has taken hold.  

 

The deep and bitter rivalry between Lee Jae-Myung and conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol has deepened political polarization in the country. 

 

- President Yoon has been criticized for not recognizing Lee Jae-Myung as the leader of the opposition and instead singled him out as a criminal. I don't think his attitude will change after the knife attack, said Park Sung-min, head of political consultancy MIN Consulting. 

 

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Party leader on the road to recovery after the knife attack 

 

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung is slowly but surely recovering from the knife attack earlier this week, his doctor said, according to the AP.  

 

59-year-old Lee was stabbed in the throat by a man who asked for his autograph during a press conference at a construction site in Busan. The man was immediately arrested by the police. The investigation has shown that the man joined the Democratic Party last year after previously being a member of the Conservative and ruling party. 

 

In national media, Lee Jae-Myung's party colleagues are speculating whether the suspect applied to join the party to gain easier access to the party leader's schedule.