Operation of Dedicated Protection Team Only During Election Season... Repeated Attacks on Politicians

Police to Form 'Dedicated Protection Team for Key Figures'
Previously Attacked During Park Geun-hye and Song Young-gil Campaigns

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked on the 2nd in Busan, prompting the police to form dedicated protection teams for key figures and implement strong personal security measures.

At around 10:27 a.m. that day, after inspecting the site of the new airport on Gadeokdo Island in Busan, Lee was conducting a Q&A session with reporters and was moving to his vehicle when he was attacked on the left side of his neck with a weapon by a 66-year-old man identified as Mr. A, causing him to collapse.

Mr. A approached Lee, requesting an autograph as if he were a supporter, extending a pen, then suddenly attacked Lee with a concealed weapon. Lee reportedly sustained a laceration on his neck.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The police arrested Mr. A at the scene, confiscated the weapon, and took him to the Gangseo Police Station in Busan.

According to the police, about 50 officers were deployed for security related to Lee’s schedule that day, including 23 members of a riot squad unit from the Gangseo Police Station and 26 detectives and other staff. The police typically assign this scale of personnel from the local police station when a party leader-level politician’s public schedule is expected to attract large crowds requiring crowd and traffic control and when there is a risk of unexpected incidents.

At the time of the attack, police officers were present nearby managing safety. However, the officers deployed that day were not a dedicated security detail specifically assigned to Lee.

Generally, the police do not operate separate security teams for politicians, including party leaders, during normal times. Only during official election campaigns do they activate dedicated protection teams composed of police officers with security experience to provide close protection for crime prevention purposes. When deemed necessary due to high risk factors during street campaigns, local police stations may deploy personal protection teams in close proximity.

On this occasion, no particular risk factors were identified beforehand. Mr. A wore a blue paper crown inscribed with “Lee Jae-myung Support” and a headband representing the “Jaemjaem Volunteer Group,” a Lee supporter organization, which led to him being mistaken for a supporter and not recognized as a potential threat. Mr. A shouted “Please sign” as he pushed through reporters and suddenly lunged at Lee, swinging the weapon toward his neck.

There have been several cases of politicians being attacked during public events. On March 7, 2022, Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked in Sinchon, Seoul. Ahead of the presidential election, Song was campaigning on a street in Sinchon when a man in his 70s struck him with a blunt instrument, requiring emergency hospitalization.

Former President Park Geun-hye was also attacked with a cutter knife in Sinchon. On May 20, 2006, while serving as leader of the Grand National Party, Park was assaulted with a weapon during a campaign event supporting Oh Se-hoon, candidate for Seoul mayor, ahead of the May 31 local elections.

Following repeated attacks on politicians, the police have introduced stronger countermeasures. On the day of the incident, the National Police Agency instructed all city and provincial police agencies to strengthen personal protection and preparedness for key figures. Immediately after the incident, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun emphasized, “We will strengthen personal protection for key figures to prevent recurrence of similar cases.”

The National Police Agency plans to establish “dedicated protection teams for key figures,” including party leaders of major political parties, at each city and provincial police agency. When key figures visit, safety measures will be developed in consultation with their respective parties, and hotlines will be established.

Additionally, commanding officers, including the heads of local police stations, will take responsibility for on-site command, deploying detectives, riot squads, and officers with both uniformed and plainclothes experience to block potential threats.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.