'Lee Jae-myung Assault Act' 60-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 15 Years in First Trial

Kim Mo (67), the assailant accused of stabbing former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung with a weapon in an attempted murder, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

'Lee Jae-myung attacker' Mr. Kim, in his 60s (Photo by Yonhap News)

On the 5th, the Criminal Division 6 of the Busan District Court (Chief Judge Kim Yong-gyun) sentenced Kim Mo, who was charged with attempted murder and other offenses, to 15 years in prison.

Earlier, the prosecution had demanded a 20-year prison sentence in May. At the sentencing hearing, the prosecution stated, "This is a serious election crime aimed at preventing the victim, who was the leader of the main opposition party, from exercising his nomination rights and running for office ahead of the parliamentary election. It is a political terror act that seriously threatens democracy and the rule of law." The prosecution explained the reasons for the demand, saying, "The crime was meticulously planned after long preparation, involved wielding a weapon causing fatal injuries to the victim, has a grave nature, the defendant shows no sincere remorse, and considering sentences in similar cases."

Kim was brought to trial on charges of attempted murder and violation of the Public Official Election Act for stabbing former leader Lee’s neck with a weapon on January 2 at the Gadeokdo Observatory in Gangseo-gu, Busan, after approaching him as if he were a supporter. Former leader Lee sustained a 9mm injury to his internal jugular vein from Kim’s attack, underwent surgery and hospitalization, and was discharged after eight days.

During the trial, 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 why is he still alive? It is frustrating." When asked by the prosecutor, "Do you mean you felt frustrated realizing you failed to kill him?" Kim answered, "Yes."

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 a proxy on the internet.