The assailant accused of stabbing Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon in an attempt to kill him has been sentenced to a heavy prison term.
On the 21st, at the Busan District Court Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judge Kim Yong-gyun), during the sentencing hearing for Kim, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Kim to 20 years in prison. The prosecution also sought a 3-year prison term for Kim's acquaintance, who was jointly charged with aiding attempted murder.
Kim Mo, the assailant of Representative Lee Jae-myung who was sent to the prosecution last January. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim was brought to trial on charges of attempted murder and violation of the Public Official Election Act for approaching Lee at the Gadeokdo Observatory in Gangseo-gu, Busan, on January 2nd, pretending to be a supporter, and stabbing Lee in the neck with a weapon.
Lee sustained a 9mm injury to his internal jugular vein from Kim's attack, underwent surgery and hospitalization, and was discharged after eight days.
At a trial held at the end of last month, the prosecution revealed a note Kim wrote in the detention center the day after the crime, which included the content: "Is the charge attempted murder and not murder? I clearly executed Leader Lee, so how is it possible that he is still alive? It is frustrating."
When asked by the prosecutor, "Does this mean you felt frustrated upon realizing that you failed to kill Leader Lee?" Kim answered, "Yes."
Regarding the motive for the crime, Kim stated it was "to prevent Leader Lee from exercising his nomination rights."
It is known that before preparing for the crime last year, Kim divorced his wife to minimize harm to his family, and spent 3 to 4 months sharpening and modifying the weapon he purchased through proxy on the internet.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
