Yoon condemns attack on opposition leader as act of terrorism

▲ President Yoon Suk Yeol gives remarks during a gathering for the new year at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 3, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

▲ President Yoon Suk Yeol (C) listens to National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo (2nd from L) proposing a toast during a meeting for the new year at the former presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, in Seoul on Jan. 3, 2024. Also attending the meeting are Constitutional Court Chief Justice Lee Jong-seok (far L), Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (far R) and Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Yoon-opposition leader

Yoon condemns attack on opposition leader as act of terrorism

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday condemned the recent knife attack on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as an act of terrorism, saying such violence suppresses human freedom and is an "enemy of liberal democracy."

Yoon made the remark during a gathering for the new year with leaders of the government, National Assembly, and economic, labor and religious circles, noting the absence of main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee, who is recovering after being stabbed by an assailant during a visit to the southeastern city of Busan on Tuesday.

"Terrorism, in whatever form, is more than just an act of harm or crime against the victim; it suppresses human freedom and is an enemy to everyone that seeks a free society. It is an enemy of liberal democracy," he said during the gathering at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae.

"I believe we should all comfort the victim with one mind and with the same mind, respond firmly. Let us all wish for Chairman Lee Jae-myung's speedy recovery," he said.

This was the first time Yoon personally spoke on the matter, though his spokesperson said the previous day that he had expressed deep concern over Lee's safety and stressed that such violence should never be tolerated under any circumstances.

The gathering for the new year brought together some 200 people, including a 17-year-old high school student and inventor of a device for checking the sudden acceleration of vehicles, a 32-year-old nurse who performed emergency life-saving measures on an unconscious man in Yeouido, central Seoul, in November, and a 33-year-old Army captain who performed similar measures on a man at a subway station in Seoul the same month.

Yoon addressed the three in the audience and asked attendees to send them a round of applause.

"I believe encouraging such citizens and making their spirit widely known to the people is meaningful in creating a society where the people are happy."

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