Seoul: South Korea has officially designated the 2024 knife attack on President Lee Jae Myung, which occurred before he assumed office, as a terrorism case. Local media reported this development, citing the prime minister’s office.

According to Anadolu Agency, the National Counterterrorism Committee, led by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, determined that the stabbing of Lee, who was the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party at the time, qualifies as an act of terrorism under the relevant law. The committee reached this conclusion during a meeting held on Tuesday.

The government’s announcement includes plans for an additional investigation into the case and the implementation of enhanced protective measures for major political figures during election campaigns to avert similar incidents. This decision marks the first instance of a specific event being formally classified as terrorism since the anti-terror law was enacted in 2016, allowing for a more comprehensive investigation into the incident.

President Lee was attacked on January 2, 2024, by a 67-year-old man in the southeastern city of Busan. The attack resulted in Lee being stabbed in the neck, requiring emergency surgery and subsequent hospitalization for recovery.