Watch the moment South Korean oppn politician Lee Jae-myung is stabbed in neck by attacker

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party, was attacked on Tuesday (Jan 2) during a visit to the southeastern port cityof Busan, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

As per reports, Lee was stabbed on the left side of his neck with a weapon.

His attacker, identified as a 1957-bornman surnamed Kim, was subdued and arrested at the scene.

The man, who has confessed that he wanted to kill Lee,reportedly used an 18-centimeter-long knife hepurchased online.

In a statement, NPA Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun said he has ordered the police to establish an investigation headquarters to probe the incident.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said in a statement it plans to charge Kim with attempted murder.

How the attack unfolded

The attack, as per Yonhap, happened at 10:27 am local time as the opposition party chief who was touring the site of a proposed airport in Busan's Gadeok Island was engaged in aquestion-and-answer session with reporters.

The assailant, who based on videos of the incident appeared to be a man in his 50s or 60s, wore a paper crown with Lee's name on it.

He reportedlyapproached Lee asking for an autograph, before suddenly lunging forward and attacking him, news reports said.

A video of the attack is going viral on social media. It showsthe attacker lunging at Lee with his arm stretched out, and the leader grimacing and collapsing to the ground, as people in the crowd grab the assailant.

You can see the video here. Viewer discretion is advised.

The attack, as per YTN television, has left Lee with a gash of about 1 cm on his neck. Whilethe wound is not life-threatening, the 59-year-old was airlifted to Seoul for surgery amid fears of additional bleeding.

Photographs of the incident show the opposition leader lying on the ground with his eyes closed, aspeople around him press a handkerchief against the bleeding wound at the side of his neck.

He remained conscious after the stabbing and was transported to a hospital.

(With inputs from agencies)