Stabbed opposition leader leaves hospital, calls for end to 'warlike politics'

▲ Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), speaks to reporters in front of Seoul National University Hospital on Jan. 10, 2024, eight days after he underwent surgery on a knife wound sustained in an attack. (Yonhap)

DP leader-hospital

Stabbed opposition leader leaves hospital, calls for end to 'warlike politics'

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung left the hospital Wednesday, eight days after he was stabbed in the neck, saying he hopes the attack serves as a catalyst for the end of "warlike politics" in South Korea.

"I truly hope that this incident, which surprised all of us, will serve as a landmark in ending politics of hatred and confrontation and restoring decent politics in which we respect each other and co-exist," Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, said as he left Seoul National University Hospital.

"We should put an end to warlike politics where we have to kill and eliminate opponents," he said.

Lee thanked police, medical workers and first responders who treated him in Busan and Seoul, and also pledged to devote the rest of his life to serving the people.

The DP chairman was stabbed in the neck by a man in his 60s posing as an autograph-seeker during his visit to the southeastern port city of Busan on Jan. 2.

Lee was airlifted to Seoul and underwent surgery for a laceration to a major vein in his neck.

The assailant was arrested at the scene, and an investigation is under way to determine the motive of the crime.

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