South Korean lawmaker targeted in violent attack

In a startling incident, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of South Korea's ruling People Power Party was attacked in Seoul's Gangnam district. The assault occurred around 5 p.m. when an assailant, allegedly a 15-year-old male, approached Bae and struck her in the head with a rock. Bae, who previously worked as a television news anchor and was elected to the National Assembly in 2020, sustained a head injury but remains in stable condition following treatment at Soonchunhyang University Hospital​​.

Post-attack, Bae was conscious and treated for a head wound, with no life-threatening injuries reported. Doctors noted a cut and swelling on her head but found no indications of severe internal damage. The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation, coming just weeks after a similar attack on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. This series of violent incidents involving politicians has raised concerns about political safety and the need for increased security measures​.

This assault on Rep. Bae Hyun-jin underscores the growing concerns about the safety of public figures in South Korea, prompting discussions about enhancing security protocols for politicians.

The recent attack on Rep. Bae Hyun-jin has heightened concerns about the safety of political figures in South Korea. This incident, along with the previous attack on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, signals a worrying trend of violence targeting politicians. These attacks have led to a unified call from political parties for a more robust security protocol for public officials. The South Korean government and law enforcement agencies are now faced with the challenge of bolstering security measures while maintaining public accessibility to politicians.

In response to these violent incidents, there's a growing consensus among political leaders and the public for a peaceful and respectful political environment. Politicians from various parties have emphasized the importance of non-violence in political discourse and the need for a collective effort to prevent such attacks in the future. The incidents have sparked a national dialogue on the nature of political engagement and the urgency to address underlying issues that may lead to such acts of aggression.

Source: Abc News