After being stabbed during a campaign event last January, South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is taking no chances. The leader of the Democratic Party has ramped up his security to unprecedented levels for this election, opting to wear a bulletproof vest and speak from behind bulletproof glass.
Concern for his safety became apparent when he shed his suit jacket to reveal a white bulletproof vest in front of supporters just last month. Enthusiastic backers even urged him to stay behind protective glass after he momentarily stepped out.
The urgency for stricter security comes after Lee experienced an assassination attempt and has faced multiple online threats. The National Police Agency confirmed that they are addressing several threats, indicating that the overall risk for this election appears alarmingly high.
Despite political violence being uncommon in South Korea, there have still been notable incidents, including an attack on former president Park Geun-hye in 2006 and a hammer assault on another political leader in 2022. The recent spike in threats illustrates just how polarized the political climate has become, leaving both voters and candidates on edge as elections draw near.
Concern for his safety became apparent when he shed his suit jacket to reveal a white bulletproof vest in front of supporters just last month. Enthusiastic backers even urged him to stay behind protective glass after he momentarily stepped out.
The urgency for stricter security comes after Lee experienced an assassination attempt and has faced multiple online threats. The National Police Agency confirmed that they are addressing several threats, indicating that the overall risk for this election appears alarmingly high.
Despite political violence being uncommon in South Korea, there have still been notable incidents, including an attack on former president Park Geun-hye in 2006 and a hammer assault on another political leader in 2022. The recent spike in threats illustrates just how polarized the political climate has become, leaving both voters and candidates on edge as elections draw near.
