Court issues search warrant for DP chief attacker

The assailant, who attacked Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, taken to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency for questioning on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

A court issued a search warrant on Wednesday for the 67-year-old attacker who stabbed Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday.

Law enforcement authorities executed the warrant to search the assailant's residence and real estate agency office in Asan, South Chungcheong at 1:40 p.m.

He is only identified by his last name, Kim.

The assailant has been in custody since attacking Lee with an 18-centimeter knife (7.1-inch) while Lee was visiting Busan's Gadeok Island.

Lee sustained a 1-centimeter wound on his left neck and underwent surgery at Seoul National University Hospital.

Kim reportedly said he intended to kill Lee but did not disclose why he decided to attack the DP leader.

Kim, who was wearing a paper crown with Lee's name printed on it when he attacked Lee, identified himself as a registered member of the DP.

His neighbors in Asan who recognized him were shocked by the news, the JoongAng Ilbo reported.

"I knew he was a member of the DP, but we had never talked about politics," a realtor who said he has known Kim for 15 years told the JoongAng Ilbo. "Kim is diligent and reserved, even working alone on the weekends."

The realtor, who said Kim was mild-mannered, said he heard that Kim didn't get along well with his nephew, whom we worked with, due to political differences, as the nephew is a conservative.

The DP's South Chungcheong office said it could not confirm whether Kim is registered as a party member, as the information is personal.

"The police called to ask about Kim's party membership," an official at the office said. "However, we told them to send an official document requesting cooperation in the investigation. Our party regulations strictly limit the viewing of personal information to the individuals concerned."

The office added that whether Kim is a member could also be verified through the party's headquarters in Seoul.

Another realtor, who has an office close to Kim's, told the JoongAng Ilbo that Kim was a retired public servant.

"It must have been at least 20 years [since he retired] as he started his real estate agency in 2005," the realtor said. "We usually shared information about properties for sale and transaction details."

"He was the most hardworking person I have ever worked with," the realtor added. "I'm shocked because he never revealed his political orientation."

Kim's former employee, who spoke to the JoongAng Ilbo on condition of anonymity, described Kim as a kind person who was good with kids and earned the trust of the neighbors.

"I don't think there would be a single person in the neighborhood who wouldn't know who Kim is," the former employee said.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]