Song Young-gil Attacked with Hammer During Election Campaign in Sinchon on the 7th
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is holding hands firmly and talking with Song Young-gil, the party leader who was attacked with a blunt weapon by an assailant during election campaigning the previous day, at a special press conference on crisis overcoming and national unity held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was hospitalized after being attacked with a blunt weapon, stated on the 8th, "I plan to be discharged today and join the final campaign."
On the same day, Song posted on his Facebook, saying, "I was hit on the back of the head with a hammer, but fortunately, it missed any critical areas and there is no brain hemorrhage."
He added, "The Lee Jae-myung administration will sincerely listen and respond without ignoring even small matters," and said, "We will heed the voices of the people who support candidates Yoon Seok-yeol and Ahn Cheol-soo because they dislike us."
He continued, "We will institutionally change politics that demonizes and attacks opponents beyond regime change to political change," emphasizing, "We will gather the people's capabilities under the national unity Lee Jae-myung administration to turn crises into opportunities."
Furthermore, he appealed to the respected citizens, saying, "At this turning point of crisis, please use Lee Jae-myung, a relatively better-prepared tool," and concluded his post with, "We will change the world through solidarity and cooperation, not violence and hatred."
He also reiterated on Facebook, "I have left the hospital and stood on the street again," and said, "Today, with a desperate and urgent heart, I will appeal to the people for support of candidate Lee."
Earlier, on the 7th, while campaigning on the streets of Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Song was struck on the head by a hammer wielded by a man in his 70s, a YouTuber, and was urgently transported to the emergency room. Song received suturing treatment at the nearby Severance Hospital and canceled all schedules that day to rest.
In response, the police decided to strengthen personal protection for key figures, including presidential candidates. The National Police Agency announced that when key figures conduct street campaigns, the chief of the relevant police station will directly command safety management on site. It was also reported that personal protection teams will be closely deployed for candidates and party leaders at each police station to provide security alongside the existing dedicated protection teams.
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