Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korean opposition leader accuses president of neglecting public safety
Opposition leader Jang Dong-hyuk accused South Korean President Lee Jae-myung of neglecting public safety at a parliamentary party meeting on October 15.
Jang cited several past incidents, including a stabbing in Incheon in which a woman was critically injured.
He said Lee was looking at sharks and taking selfies while the woman was undergoing emergency surgery, and claimed the president had also played golf during other emergencies.
These are Jang’s accusations, not independently established facts in the account.
Jang said the president’s main duty is to protect people and called on Lee to leave office if he cannot do so.
He also criticized a parliamentary hearing for a candidate to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, but no next steps were reported.
South Korean opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok accused President Lee Jae-myung of neglecting public safety during a knife attack in Incheon.
Jang said a 19-year-old woman injured in the attack remained unconscious in intensive care and five victims were still hospitalized.
He criticized Lee for visiting a tourist attraction and taking selfies while the injured woman was undergoing emergency surgery.
Jang also faulted the president for his responses to earlier accidents and called on him to resign.
He said the Major Crimes Investigation Agency was effectively idle and that key public safety leadership posts were vacant or held by acting officials.
- Who
- People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok accused President Lee Jae-myung.
- What
- Jang said Lee had neglected public safety, citing his conduct during an Incheon knife attack and other incidents.
- When
- Jang made the remarks on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- At a People Power Party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul. The knife attack was in Guwol-dong, Incheon.
- Why
- Jang said the president had shown indifference and failed to prioritize protecting the public.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The National Assembly held a confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.
Jang criticized President Lee and his handling of public safety at a People Power Party Supreme Council meeting.
- Speaker
- Jang Dong-hyeok, People Power Party leader
- President criticized
- Lee Jae-myung
- Attack location
- Guwol-dong, Incheon
- Victims still hospitalized
- 5, according to Jang
- Injured woman
- 19 years old; unconscious in intensive care, according to Jang
- Meeting date
- October 15, 2026
What people are saying
The president's greatest duty is to protect the safety of the people.
If he has neither the ability nor the intention to protect them, he should step down from that position.
He had promised to respond to threats to people's lives with what he himself called an excessive degree, but in reality there is excessive indifference and inaction.
When people are in danger, he should stop playing golf, and when people are dying, he should not go to see sharks.