Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is getting out of a vehicle in protective gear on the morning of Mar. 19, in front of the Democratic Party's tent site near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to attend the on-site Supreme Council meeting. /Courtesy of News1

Recently, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, who has been the subject of an 'assassination threat,' appeared in Gwanghwamun on the 19th wearing a bulletproof vest and accompanied by security personnel. Lee has refrained from public schedules citing the risk of terrorism.

On that day, Lee attended a site Supreme Council meeting held at the 'Gwanghwamun Democratic Party Tent Protest Site' in Jongno District, Seoul, wearing a bulletproof vest. At this meeting, Lee remarked towards Choi Sang-mok, the acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, “From this moment on, any citizen can arrest you as a violator of duty, so I hope you stay cautious,” referring to the failure to appoint the constitutional court nominee, Ma Eun-hyeok.

Earlier, on the 12th, the Democratic Party requested police protection for Lee, stating, “Numerous reports have been received by lawmakers that agents who have been discharged from special forces are smuggling Russian-made pistols and have plans to assassinate Lee.” Following this, Lee did not attend the site Supreme Council meeting held in Gwanghwamun on the 14th and an outdoor rally over the weekend.

(Seoul=News1) National Assembly Press Corps = Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is making a statement at the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party's tent site near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of Mar. 19, 2025. /Courtesy of News1
(Seoul=News1) National Assembly Press Corps = Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is moving by vehicle after the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party's tent site near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of Mar. 19. Due to assassination threats, Lee wore protective gear while leading the Supreme Council meeting. /Courtesy of News1

On the 17th, after attending a Supreme Council meeting and an emergency National Assembly meeting at the National Assembly, Lee was seen moving under the protection of two bodyguards. The police officially began protective measures for Lee the afternoon of the previous day (the 18th).

The bulletproof vest also appeared at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on January 22. At that time, Supreme Council member Kim Byung-joo held up a bulletproof vest and said, “This is both bulletproof and stab-proof,” while holding a sleeve protector and stating, “It’s a stab-proof sleeve. It won’t be cut by a knife.” He continued, “Stab-proof clothing is carried in the vehicle and worn when going outdoors in dangerous areas, and Representative Park Sun-won wears it all the time because he feels threatened.” At that time, Lee examined Kim’s bulletproof vest and stab-proof sleeves.

On Jan. 22, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is examining a bulletproof vest prepared by Supreme Council member Kim Byung-joo during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. /Courtesy of Chosun DB