Police: "Lee Jae-myung Attacker Committed Extreme Crime Based on Subjective Political Beliefs" (Comprehensive)

"Criminal Act to Prevent Lee from Becoming President"
Excuse Statement Claims "Pro-North Forces Delaying Lee's Trial"

Kim Mo (67), who was arrested on charges of attempted murder for attacking Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon, was found to have committed the crime driven by distorted political beliefs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency Investigation Headquarters stated in a final investigation briefing on the afternoon of the 10th that, based on digital forensic investigations, witness statements, and profiler analysis, “Kim committed an extreme crime based on subjective political beliefs.”

The police explained Kim’s specific motive for the crime as “being dissatisfied that Lee was not properly punished due to trial delays, and committing the crime with the intention of preventing Lee from becoming president.”

They added, “Kim decided to kill with the intention of preventing Lee from securing a majority of seats by giving nominations to certain factions in the April general election.”

Regarding the eight-page document left by Kim, known as the ‘excuse letter,’ the police explained, “It contained content expressing the intention to stop Lee’s trial from being delayed due to pro-North Korean forces within the judiciary, and to prevent Lee from becoming president and the country falling into the hands of leftist forces.”

They also added, “It included the intention to make his will known through the crime and to serve as a catalyst for the patriotic aspirations and actions of free people.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 2nd, at around 10:50 a.m., Kim approached Lee, who was visiting Daehang Observatory in Gadeokdo, Gangseo-gu, Busan, pretending to be a supporter, and stabbed him in the neck with a weapon before being arrested at the scene.

After securing Kim’s statement that he acted alone, the police have conducted digital forensic investigations of seized items, call records, transaction accounts, and movement investigations, and currently believe there are no accomplices or backing forces.

Previously, a man in his 70s who assisted Kim by promising to deliver the so-called excuse letter, which Kim wrote before the crime and asked to be given to the media and his family after the crime, was arrested and booked on charges of aiding and abetting the crime.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency formed an investigation headquarters consisting of 68 members and conducted the investigation for nine days. On the morning of the 10th, Kim was transferred from the detention center at Yeonje Police Station in Busan to the prosecution in custody.

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