Stabbed opposition leader Lee to return to work Wednesday

▲ Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, speaks to reporters on Jan. 10, 2024, as he leaves the hospital to continue treatment at home. (Yonhap)

DP leader-return

Stabbed opposition leader Lee to return to work Wednesday

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung will return to work Wednesday, 15 days after he was stabbed in the neck and underwent surgery, his party said.

Lee will restart his official duties as the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) by presiding over a meeting of the party's Supreme Council at the National Assembly, Rep. Park Sung-joon, a DP spokesperson, said.

"Following that, Lee will convene an event to welcome new talents to the party and kick off full-fledged efforts to prepare for the general elections and revive people's livelihoods," Park said.

Lee 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 told police he stabbed Lee to prevent him from becoming president.

Also Tuesday, approximately 800 DP lawmakers, aides and party members gathered in front of the Assembly building, calling for a full disclosure of all details of Lee's attacker.

The DP's floor leader, Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, had demanded the police reveal the party affiliation of the assailant, citing a news report that the suspect was a longtime member of the People Power Party before joining the DP.

Police had decided not to disclose such information, citing a law that prohibits investigative organizations from disclosing information obtained during the investigation process.

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