South Korean opposition leader leaves ICU after knife attack - surgeon

South Korea's opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung arrives on a stretcher at Seoul National University hospital after being stabbed in the neck by an unidentified man during his visit to Busan, in Seoul, South Korea, January 2, 2024. Yonhap/via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was out of intensive care and recovering from surgery to repair a major vein that was sliced in a knife attack two days ago, a surgeon who operated on him said on Thursday.

Lee requires continued observation as the injury to the jugular vein was tricky to repair and post-surgery complications could not be ruled out, Professor Min Seung-kee told a news briefing.