Domestic Political Circles Also Reflect on Trump Shooting: "Political Terrorism Cannot Be Tolerated"

Yoon Seok-yeol "Shocked by Horrific Political Violence"
Rejecting the Political Exploitation of Extreme Conflict and Hate

In response to the shooting incident targeting former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, South Korea's political circles strongly condemned the attack while also calling for an end to hate politics.

On the 14th, President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "I am deeply shocked by this horrific political violence," and added, "I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery. The Korean people stand with the American people." The National Assembly also reacted. On the 15th, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, "The People Power Party strongly condemns the shooting incident targeting former President Trump, which threatened citizens' safety and democracy," and emphasized, "Political terrorism and violence are unacceptable for any reason and in any place." Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party's supreme council meeting the same day, "It has not been long since the terror attack against former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and the horrific shock is still vivid," stressing, "I want to reiterate that nothing can be achieved through hate politics or political terrorism."

Former President Trump was shot while campaigning in Pennsylvania on the 13th (local time). After several shots were fired, Trump was seen bleeding from his ear as he was rushed to safety. However, he reportedly had no health issues and planned to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 14th as scheduled. Through his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, "Due to the terrible incident yesterday, I considered postponing my visit to Wisconsin and the Republican National Convention by two days," but added, "The shooter or assassination suspect cannot forcibly change my schedule or anything else."

Political terrorism has also been recurring domestically. In January, former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was attacked by Kim (67) after inspecting the construction site of the new airport on Gadeokdo Island in Gangseo-gu, Busan. Kim, who was charged with attempted murder and violations of the Public Official Election Act, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the first trial on the 5th. Less than a month after Lee was attacked, People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin was also assaulted. On January 25th, a middle school student, A, struck Bae on the head with a stone in a building in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. A is currently under investigation by prosecutors on charges including aggravated assault.

Hate politics, which incites hatred against opposing camps, is cited as a reason for political terrorism. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "While conflicts are inevitable in democracy, politics that incite hatred by using personal attacks or extreme language against opponents are widespread," adding, "There are politicians who exploit extreme conflicts and hatred as political assets." He also expressed concern, saying, "Although political terrorism has occurred repeatedly in South Korea earlier this year, it can be said that hate politics has worsened."

As political terrorism continues both domestically and internationally, voices of self-reflection are emerging in the political sphere. Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a briefing the day before, "The Democratic Party strongly condemns political terrorism that destroys democracy and will take the lead in eradicating hate politics." Kim Dae-sik, a member of the People Power Party, criticized via social media, "In South Korea, political violence has occurred as hatred between camps has deepened over recent years," adding, "Political violence and hatred undermine the foundation of deliberative and representative democracy and will destroy rational decision-making processes."