NIS Forms Task Force for 'President Lee Attack Terror Incident'... Perpetrator Designated as 'Terror Risk Individual'

The National Intelligence Service announced on January 22, 2026, that it has established the "Task Force for Follow-up Measures after the Designation of the Gadukdo Terror Incident" to investigate the truth behind the "Gadukdo Attack Incident involving President Lee Jaemyung (then leader of the Democratic Party of Korea)" that occurred in January 2024.

National Intelligence Service. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

This task force was launched after the attack was officially designated as a terrorist act under the Anti-Terrorism Act on January 20, with the First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service serving as the team leader. The task force plans to designate the perpetrator, Mr. Kim (67), as a "terror risk individual" under Article 2 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and to reconfirm the specific charges against him based on Article 9 of the same law. In addition, since the National Investigation Headquarters of the police has decided to reopen the investigation, the task force will provide information upon request from investigative agencies and support a swift investigation.

The National Intelligence Service also plans to participate in the "Counter-Terrorism Work Innovation Task Force" under the Prime Minister's Office, which will be launched on January 26, to improve response systems such as the standard manual for terror crisis management and to strengthen cooperation among relevant agencies in the event of similar incidents.

President Lee, who was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea at the time, was stabbed in the left side of his neck with a weapon wielded by Mr. Kim during a visit to Gadukdo, Busan, on January 2, 2024, and underwent surgery. Subsequently, suspicions were raised, mainly by the current ruling party, that the National Intelligence Service under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the Counter-Terrorism Center distorted the incident by failing to designate it as a terrorist act and by destroying evidence at the scene. In February of last year, the Supreme Court found Mr. Kim guilty of attempted murder and other charges, sentencing him to 15 years in prison, and he is currently serving his sentence.