Lee Jae-myung, opposition leader of South Korea escapes death in Busan

Lee Jae-myung, South Korean opposition leader narrowly escaped death after being attacked by a stranger during a press conference on Tuesday, in Busan.

As reported by BBC, Jae-myung was stabbed on the left side of his neck with a 20cm to 30cm (7.8 to 11.8in) long weapon by an attacker, who was arrested at the crime scene.

According to Busan Police, Mr. Lee’s wound is not life-threatening as he sustained a 1cm laceration and was treated in the hospital during consciousness.

Lee Jae-myung’s attacker was reportedly a man in his 60s to 70s, who approached to the 59-year-old politician asking for an autograph, before suddenly leaning forward to stab him.

The attacker is said to be tight lipped about both his identity and motive. In a widely shared video from the incident, Lee could be seen first collapsing into the crowd and then onto the ground.

While several people tried to restrain the attacker, Lee Jae-myung was airlifted to the hospital via a helicopter.

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The viral photographs from the incident captured Mr Lee lying on the ground with closed eyes, while someone from the crowd presses a handkerchief on his wound.

A spokesman of Mr Lee's Democratic Party of Korea, Kwon Chil-seung, revealed that the medical staff has suspected an injury to his jugular vein.

"After being transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, we plan to operate quickly. We strongly condemn the attack and consider it a clear act of democracy destruction," he said.

To note, Mr Lee, 59, is expected to run for a seat in the next general election, taking place in April. He currently holds a seat in Incheon in South Korea's legislature.