South Korean opposition leader receives assassination threats

(CLO) The Democratic Party of Korea (DP) said its leader, Mr. Lee Jae-myung, is facing the risk of assassination.

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party on Wednesday (March 12) asked police to protect leader Lee Jae-myung after uncovering a plot to assassinate the politician, forcing him to miss a rally against impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Mr. Lee Jae-myung. Photo: GI

Democratic Party spokeswoman Hwang Jung-ah said the party had been informed of the plan involving retired spies plotting to remove Mr. Lee.

“Many lawmakers, including party leaders, received text messages claiming that there was a plan to smuggle guns into Korea from abroad to assassinate Lee Jae-myung,” Hwang Jung-ah said.

Ms Hwang said the information came from a former military intelligence officer who advised Mr Lee to avoid public appearances until the threat subsided.

In response to the reports, Lee Ho-young, acting inspector general of the Korean National Police Agency, said during a meeting of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee that the police will "conduct a thorough investigation" into the report.

Mr. Lee Ho-young added that there have been “quite a few online threats” against leaders of both the ruling People Power Party and the opposition recently.

Lee Jae-myung, who was injured in a knife attack last year, has led protests denouncing Yoon and urging the Constitutional Court to uphold the leader's impeachment. Some lawmakers from Lee's party have also gone on hunger strikes and shaved their heads to increase pressure on the court.

The court is expected to announce its ruling on the matter in the coming days. If Mr. Yoon is removed from office following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3, South Korea will have to hold a snap election within 60 days of the court's ruling.

Lee Jae-myung, a potential opposition presidential candidate, is on trial for bribery linked to a development project while he was mayor of Seongnam, near Seoul.

Last year, Lee Jae-myung was also given a one-year suspended prison sentence for violating election laws. If the ruling is upheld, he will be ineligible to run in any elections for the next five years.

Quang Anh (according to Korean Herald, SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lanh-dao-phe-doi-lap-han-quoc-bi-de-doa-am-sat-post338240.html