SoKor Opposition Chief Survives Knife Attack

South Korea's opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southern city of Busan, as reported by Ju-min Park and Hyonhee Shin for Reuters.

Lee, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was conscious and was flown to Seoul National University Hospital in the capital after a man stabbed him in the neck during a rally. I Photo: Yonhap

Lee, who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, was conscious and was flown to Seoul National University Hospital in the capital after a man attacked him as he was moving among a crowd of supporters and journalists at a public event.

An official at the Pusan National University Hospital, where Lee first received emergency care, said the transfer to Seoul was possible after medical staff determined his condition was not life-threatening based on initial treatment and a CT scan.

Party spokesman Kwon Chil-seung, speaking outside the hospital soon after Lee was airlifted by helicopter, said medical staff suspected damage to a jugular vein that carries blood from the head to the heart.

"There is concern that there could be large hemorrhage or additional hemorrhage, according to medical staff," Kwon said.

The attack by the assailant, seen in video footage and photographs, unfolded quickly while Lee was touring the site of a proposed airport in Busan.

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