#Article Launch Challenge#South Korean politics has made waves again, and Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was attacked with a knife on the morning of January 2, 2024, which became the focus of shock.
The attack not only caused concern and shock at home and abroad, but also highlighted the deep contradictions of political division and antagonism.
Lee Jae-myung, a rising star in South Korean politics, has attracted widespread attention with his unique experience as a grassroots and human rights lawyer.
However, his political career has been full of treacherous challenges, challenges and twists and turns.
Despite his impressive results in the 2022 presidential election, he became the first opposition candidate in South Korean history to win more than 40% of the vote in a presidential election after losing to conservative Yoon Suk-yeol.
Lee Jae-myung's political achievements have also been controversial, and he has been investigated and prosecuted by the procuratorate.
Accusations of corruption and fraud have been rife with it, yet he has maintained his innocence, viewing it as a witch hunt by the ruling party and prosecutors.
In order to counter the so-called "tyranny" and "undermining of democracy" of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, he even started an indefinite hunger strike on August 31, 2023, pushing society into the abyss of polarization.
Lee Jae-myung's hunger strike has aroused strong repercussions in society, with some people believing that he is a brave man who is defending justice and performing well, while others criticize him for being extreme and irresponsible.
Just days after the hunger strike, South Korea's parliament unexpectedly approved permission to arrest Lee Jae-myung on September 21, a decision for the first time in South Korea's constitutional history.
However, the attack on Lee Jae-myung has brought more serious turmoil and uncertainty to South Korea's political situation.
The knife attack not only left Lee Jae-myung bleeding from neck injuries, but also revealed deep rifts in South Korean politics.
The perpetrator is said to be a right-winger, and there may be an element of political hatred behind the incident.
It also makes one wonder whether the antagonism and division in South Korean politics have reached an extreme level where differences can no longer be resolved through peaceful means.
The attack on Lee Jae-myung may not only serve as a rallying cry for the Democratic Party of Korea and win him more sympathy and support, but it may also exacerbate social antagonism and conflict and further tear apart South Korea's political and social ties.
The Yoon Suk-yeol government and the People's Power Party face a major challenge to address the matter on the basis of the rule of law and fairness, to avoid being seen as an act of repression against opposition parties and the opposition, and to guard against the excesses of right-wing forces to prevent them from damaging South Korea's international image and reputation.
The Lee Jae-myung attack is not only a microcosm of a political struggle, but also a huge test of South Korea's democratic development.
On the basis of the rule of law and democracy, the Republic of Korea needs to actively seek political and social dialogue and compromise to resolve contradictions and differences and achieve peace and development.
Otherwise, South Korea will be mired in an even deeper crisis and predicament, unable to cope with internal and external challenges and risks.
At this tense time, the people of South Korea expect the political leadership to show calmness and wisdom to lead the country out of its predicament and into a more stable and prosperous future.