South Korean opposition leader receives assassination threats.

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

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party on Wednesday (March 12) requested police protection for leader Lee Jae-myung after discovering a plot to assassinate the politician , forcing him to miss a protest against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Mr. Lee Jae-myung. Photo: GI

Democratic Party spokesperson Hwang Jung-ah said the party had been informed of a plan involving retired intelligence agents plotting to remove Lee.

"Many lawmakers, including party leaders, received text messages stating that there were plans to smuggle weapons into South Korea from abroad to assassinate Lee Jae-myung," said Hwang Jung-ah.

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

In response to the aforementioned information, Lee Ho-young, acting Inspector General of the National Police Agency of South Korea, stated at a meeting of the National Assembly 's Legislative and Judicial Committee that the police would "conduct a thorough investigation" into the report.

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, led protests condemning Yoon and urging the Constitutional Court to uphold the impeachment of the leader. Several lawmakers from Lee's party also went on hunger strikes and shaved their heads to increase pressure on the court.

The court will announce its ruling on this matter in the coming days. If Mr. Yoon is removed from office due to 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 charges related 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 this ruling is upheld, he will be ineligible to participate 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