Lee Jae-myung Assailant's Identity Disclosure Decided on the 9th... 60-Year-Old Arrested for Assisting in Sending 'Excuse Letter' (Comprehensive)

The decision on whether to disclose the personal information of Kim Mo (67), who was arrested on charges of attempted murder for wielding a weapon against Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will be made on the 9th. One accomplice who assisted Kim in the crime was also urgently arrested.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency Investigation Headquarters announced on the 8th that they plan to hold a Personal Information Disclosure Committee on the 9th to decide whether to disclose Kim's personal information.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Under the current Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes, if conditions such as cruelty, serious damage, sufficient evidence to believe a crime was committed, the public's right to know, and public interest are met, the suspect's face, name, age, and other information can be disclosed.

The Personal Information Disclosure Committee consists of seven or more members, with at least half being external members. The police plan to immediately disclose the suspect's information once the committee makes a decision.

Additionally, the police are investigating a man in his 60s who had promised to send by mail a so-called "excuse letter (final statement)" containing Kim's motive for the crime after the incident. The police are investigating whether this man conspired in the crime.

Meanwhile, regarding the suspect's party affiliation, the police initially intended to consult with the prosecution from the perspective of the public's right to know, but since nondisclosure is the principle under the Political Parties Act and leaking this information is punishable, it was confirmed that it will not be disclosed even at the final investigation announcement.

According to the police investigation, Kim traveled from Asan, Chungnam, the day before the crime, using mainly trains and taxis while moving through Busan Station, Bongha Village in Gyeongnam, Pyeongsan Village, Ulsan Station, Busan Station, and Gadeokdo in Busan, but it was revealed that he also hitched rides twice in private cars.

The sections where Kim hitched rides in private cars were from Bongha Village to Pyeongsan Village, and from the crime scene in Gadeokdo to a motel in Changwon about 10 km away.

The police interviewed all car owners who gave Kim rides and people he met along his route as witnesses, but so far, the possibility of accomplices or assistance is considered low.

Evidence also increasingly shows that Kim thoroughly prepared for the crime in advance.

The police confirmed that around April last year, Kim purchased the weapon online, removed the handle to facilitate the crime, wrapped it with tape, and sharpened the blade.

It appears that Kim carried the weapon wrapped in paper from the time he departed Asan, Chungnam.

Based on additional suspect investigations, profiler psychological and statement analyses, mobile phone forensic investigations, and various pieces of evidence, the police plan to announce the final investigation results regarding the motive and accomplice status before Kim's detention period expires on the 11th.

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