Marking a tumultuous start of the new year in South Korean politics, the Korea Pro team discusses the assassination attempt against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. A man surnamed Kim, who used an 8-inch blade and disguised himself as a supporter, admitted that he intended to kill Lee. President Yoon Suk-yeol issues a rare nonpartisan statement wishing Lee well and condemning acts of terrorism as the “enemy” of democracy. The Korea Pro team explores the broader context of political violence in South Korea reflecting on the current state of political discourse in South Korea, where extreme rhetoric and polarization are becoming increasingly common. This week’s episode features the following members of the Korea Pro team: Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner) About the podcast: The KOREA PRO Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring South Korean politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Stay informed, stay ahead, and never miss a beat on Korean affairs that matter. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Jan. 4, 2024. Audio edited by Lina Park