BUSAN—The individual who attacked Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, with a knife earlier in the month, has been formally charged with attempted murder and violation of election law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, which occurred during Lee's visit to Busan on January 2, saw the 67-year-old assailant, identified only by his surname Kim, apprehend Lee and stab him in the neck. Kim has since stated that his actions were driven by a desire to prevent Lee from assuming the presidency.
Following an extensive investigation that lasted several weeks, the prosecution announced on Monday the indictment of Kim on charges of attempted murder and election law violation. The allegations suggest that Kim aimed to disrupt the electoral process and influence the outcome of April's general election through violence, thereby undermining the principles of electoral freedom.
In addition to Kim's indictment, the authorities have also charged a 75-year-old man, whose name has been withheld, with aiding in the attempted murder and violating the Public Official Election Act. This development comes after the prosecution investigated a total of 114 individuals connected to the case, ultimately concluding that there were no further accomplices or masterminds behind the attack on Lee Jae-myung.