Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, wearing a bulletproof vest, heads to the protest site of the former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, Kim Kyung-soo, where he is demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno District, central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung has been attending official events in a bulletproof vest following recent death threats made against him.

Despite such threats, it is highly unusual for politicians to wear bulletproof vests in Korea, where firearms possession is strictly prohibited by law. However, Lee's decision to wear a bulletproof vest is seen as carrying a broader political message, underscoring his position as a leading candidate for the next presidency.

Lee wore a bulletproof vest during a visit on Friday to the protest site of Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, who has been on a 13-day hunger strike near Gyeongbokgung Station in central Seoul, demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

He also wore a bulletproof vest on Wednesday while attending the DPK's Supreme Council meeting in Gwanghwamun, following concerns over potential life-threatening attacks.

The DPK asserts that it received multiple reports of a suspected assassination plot against Lee.

On March 12, party spokesperson Hwang Jung-ah said several DPK lawmakers had received text messages warning of a plot involving former operatives from the Headquarters of Intelligence Detachment (HID), a covert military unit that operated during the authoritarian regime era from the 1960s to the 1980s. The messages claimed that the operatives planned to smuggle Russian-made firearms to target Lee.

The HID is an elite special force group tasked with assassinating North Korean leadership in the event of war.

In response, the party formally requested police protection. After internal discussions, authorities placed Lee under official protection, with security measures beginning Tuesday afternoon.

Lee's decision to wear a bulletproof vest has sparked various interpretations. While it is clear that the vest serves as protection against life-threatening risks, some observers argue that the gesture also carries a political message.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, lies on the ground after being attacked by a knife-wielding assailant while visiting a proposed airport site in Busan, Jan. 2, 2024. Yonhap

Sending political message

Political commentator Park Sang-byoung suggested that Lee's actions communicates his strength as a leading presidential contender.

"To supporters of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) or Yoon, Lee is seen as the leader of the opposition, making him a target for attack," he said.

Park described the current political and social conflict in Korea as being akin to a civil war.

"Considering the current situation, the opposition views removing Lee as a top priority. By wearing the bulletproof vest, Lee emphasizes that he has become a target of these attacks because he is the strongest candidate," Park said.

Additionally, he believes Lee's gesture may help solidify his base of supporters.

"It delivers a message that he will confront and fight back against any threats," Park said. "When Lee (Jae-myung) shows he's not afraid, it gives his supporters more conviction that he is the right person to lead."

Another political commentator, Lee Jong-hoon, argues that the measure is excessive.

"It seems to be a gesture aimed at DPK lawmakers who don't support Lee (Jae-myung), showing them that the party leader is resolutely holding out to end the chaos caused by Yoon's alleged treason," Lee Jong-hoon said.

Meanwhile, there have been several precedents of attacks against political figures, although none involving firearms.

On Jan. 2, 2024, Lee Jae-myung was attacked with a knife during a visit to Busan, sustaining a cut to the left side of his neck.

Just three weeks later, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the PPP was assaulted by a 15-year-old attacker, who struck her in the back of the head with a rock the size of an adult's fist.

In May 2006, former President Park Geun-hye, then leader of the Grand National Party, now the PPP, was assaulted with a box cutter, resulting in facial injuries.

Additionally, former DPK leader Song Young-gil was attacked on March 7, 2022, when an extremist YouTuber struck him on the head with a hammer while he was campaigning for his party's presidential candidate.