The man accused of stabbing South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in the neck told investigators that he wanted to kill him to prevent him from becoming the country’s president, police said Wednesday. Lee was released Wednesday from the hospital after eight days of treatment, including surgery. Police said they believe the suspect acted alone when he attacked Lee, 59, in the southeastern city of Busan on January 2, leaving him bleeding and slumping on the ground. During questioning, the suspect said he had determined to kill Lee to prevent him from running for South Korea’s presidency, Busan police chief Woo Cheol-Mun told a televised briefing. Woo said the suspect said he was unsatisfied with what he believes were authorities’ failures to punish Lee over his corruption allegations. Woo said the suspect left a eight-page note that shows similar motives for his attack. Woo said the suspect bought an outdoor knife last April and followed Lee on five events since June. “It’s analyzed that the suspect’s subjective political belief led to the extreme crime,” Woo said. During police questioning, the suspect had no defense lawyer, according to Busan police.
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