On March 27, South Korea’s opposition leader Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party of Korea) was attacked during a visit to wildfire victims. The incident occurred in North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do).
Incident at Yeongyang Shelter
According to the South Korean news agency Newsis, Lee Jae-myung was inspecting an emergency evacuation shelter. The shelter is located in Yeongyang County (Yeongyang-gun). Suddenly, a man attacked Lee by swinging his jacket. He managed to hit Lee’s face and upper body before being quickly subdued by bodyguards. Fortunately, Lee was unharmed.
Reports later identified the attacker as one of the evacuees, a victim of the ongoing wildfire disaster. 
Severe Wildfires Set Grim Records
South Korea is currently grappling with severe wildfires across multiple regions. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the fires had caused significant damage by 8 PM on March 27. Tragically, 28 people lost their lives, and another 32 were injured. The affected forest area reached a record-breaking 38,000 hectares. This marks a historical high for the country.
Past Attack Raises Security Concerns
This incident is not the first physical assault against Lee Jae-myung. In January 2024, Lee faced a serious attack during a visit to Gadeokdo in Busan. A man wielding a sharp weapon inflicted wounds to Lee’s neck. Lee collapsed and was immediately hospitalized due to heavy bleeding.
Lee’s Strong Standing in Presidential Race
Despite these incidents, Lee Jae-myung remains prominent in South Korean politics. Recent polls by the survey organization “Realmeter” indicate his popularity remains strong. He is currently viewed as a leading contender for the next South Korean presidential election.
