Lee Jae-myung Assailant Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Appeal

Court: "Severe Punishment Even If Attempted Crime Infringing on Life Fails"
"Heavy Guilt for Election Interference and Other Charges"

Kim Mo (67), who attacked Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon in Busan earlier this year, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the appellate court, the same as in the first trial.

On the 27th, the Criminal Division 2 of the Busan High Court (Chief Judge Lee Jae-wook) dismissed Kim's appeal on charges of attempted murder and violation of the Public Official Election Act, maintaining the original sentence of 15 years in prison. The 5-year probation period was also upheld.

Suspect Kim Mo, accused of attempted murder for attacking Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon, is being transferred to the prosecution. Yonhap News

Kim is accused of approaching Lee at around 10:27 a.m. on January 2nd at Daehang Observatory located at the planned site for the new airport construction on Gadeokdo Island, Gangseo-gu, Busan, and stabbing Lee’s left neck area with a weapon he had prepared in advance. At that time, Lee suffered an injury to his internal jugular vein due to Kim’s attack, underwent surgery, and was discharged after eight days. The prosecution indicted Kim on charges of attempted murder and violation of the Public Official Election Act, stating that Kim had the intent to kill and aimed to obstruct Lee’s election candidacy.

The court stated, "The defendant committed a premeditated crime by harboring hostility and demonizing the victim due to political differences," and pointed out, "The weapon was sharpened and modified over several months, and the defendant consistently practiced killing with it, as investigated by the authorities." It also noted, "The defendant took measures to publicize his justification for the crime externally and concealed items that could serve as evidence," concluding, "The original court’s judgment is fully acceptable."

Furthermore, the court said, "Although the defendant submitted a letter of repentance and sent an apology letter to the victim, it appears that forgiveness has not yet been granted," and added, "Life is the highest value of dignity, and crimes that infringe upon it must be severely punished even if only attempted." In the first trial, Kim consistently compared himself to an independence activist and claimed the crime was politically justified, but it was reported that he expressed remorse belatedly during the second trial.

The court also added, "Considering that the crime was committed ahead of the National Assembly election, obstructing a free and fair election, the culpability is heavy. The fact that the defendant approached the victim disguised as a supporter and attacked the victim’s neck while defenseless makes the act highly condemnable."

Meanwhile, A (75), who was indicted on charges of aiding attempted murder and aiding violation of the Public Official Election Act for keeping a postal item describing the motive for the crime at Kim’s request before the crime and sending it to Kim’s family on the day of the crime, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation, the same as in the first trial.