Police Vow to Uncover Truth Behind President Lee Attack After 'Terrorism' Designation

On January 20, the police stated, regarding the government's designation of the Gadeokdo attack that occurred when President Lee Jaemyung was leader of the Democratic Party as an "act of terrorism," that they "will do their utmost to uncover the truth, including investigating whether there was any reduction or concealment of involvement by those behind or colluding in the incident, as well as any destruction of evidence during the initial response."

National Police Agency

The National Police Agency announced through a press release on the same day, "To ensure fairness and objectivity, we will form a new investigative task force so that no suspicions remain unresolved."

The Office for Government Policy Coordination stated that, at the 22nd National Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting presided over by Prime Minister Kim Minseok, the agenda item designating the President Lee case as an act of terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act was approved. This is the first time since the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2016 that a specific incident has been designated as an act of terrorism at the government level.

On January 2, 2024, President Lee was stabbed in the left side of his neck with a weapon wielded by Mr. Kim (67) during a visit to Gadeokdo, Busan, and subsequently underwent surgery and was hospitalized for treatment.