BUSAN – The man convicted of stabbing South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in January has appealed the 15-year prison sentence handed down by the Busan District Court, asserting that the punishment is excessively severe.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the assailant, a 67-year-old man surnamed Kim, attacked Lee during a campaign event in Busan on January 2, posing as a supporter to get close enough to inflict the stab wound. Kim, who later admitted his motive was to prevent Lee from becoming president, was initially sentenced earlier this month. The court described his act as a significant threat to the electoral system and representative democracy. Lee required an eight-day hospital stay, undergoing blood vessel reconstruction surgery due to the attack.
Both Kim and his legal representation have filed appeals, contesting the severity of the 15-year sentence. Conversely, prosecutors, who had sought a 20-year sentence for Kim, have also appealed, indicating they believe the sentence should be more stringent.