Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck by an assailant, a man in his 60s, while touring the construction site of a new airport on Busan’s Gadeok Island. The incident occurred at approximately 10:27 a.m. on Jan. 2, following a press briefing.

Lee suffered a 0.4-inch (1-centimeter) laceration in his neck from the attack and was initially treated at Pusan National University Hospital. His life is reportedly not at risk. Lee, who remains conscious, was later transferred to Seoul National University Hospital for surgery, according to a DP spokesperson. Police arrested the assailant at the scene, who reportedly confessed to having the intention to murder Lee. The police are expected to charge the assailant with attempted murder.