South Korea generally has a low crime rate but there has been an increase in large-scale stabbing incidents since last year.

The possession of firearms and other weapons is strictly prohibited throughout the nation, however most prominent people are not always closely guarded.

Politicians in South Korea have been the target of multiple armed physical attacks in the past.

Lee Jae Myung,the opposition leader of South Korea was stabbed on his neck during a public apperance while his recent visit to the city of Busan. The leader sustained a 1 cm laceration on his neck.

He was airlifted to the hospital immediately after a 66 year old man had attacked him. The man wanted to kill him but there was no clear evidence regarding his motive and stabbing.

Politicians and political parties across the country, including the current President Yoon Suk Yeol, denounced the heinous attack that occurred during the day and shook the nation.

Tuesday morning's stabbing occurred when Mr. Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was speaking to reporters at a news conference while touring a building site in the port of Busan.

The assailant had approached him to get an autograph but then abruptly moved to knife him.

The weapon was an 18-cm (7-inch) knife that he had purchased online. The assailant was quickly subdued and taken into custody.

The man who tried to attack the leader will face attempted murder charges from the prosecution.