Conspiracy theories about stabbing of South Korea opposition leader fan outrage

South Korea’s opposition party leader, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed on the left side of the neck during a visit to Busan. - AFP

SEOUL: Conspiracy theories suggesting the Jan 2 stabbing of South Korea’s opposition party leader, Lee Jae-myung, was orchestrated by the victim himself have been spreading on the Internet, sparking outrage from the public and those in political circles in both the liberal and conservative camps.

The 59-year-old leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea was stabbed on the left side of the neck by a 67-year-old man in Busan during a visit to the southernmost port city, sustaining injury to his jugular vein that required emergency surgery.