The court also sentenced Lee Jae-myung's knife attacker to '15 years in prison' at the appeal trial.

ⓒYTN

Kim (67), who is suspected of attempting to murder Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon, was also sentenced to 15 years in prison at the appeal trial.

On the 27th, the Busan High Court's Criminal Division 2 (Judge Lee Jae-wook) rejected the appeal of Kim, who is suspected of attempting to kill two years old and violating the Public Official Election Act, and maintained the original sentence.

"The defendant committed a premeditated crime by antagonizing and demonizing the victim due to differences in political views," the court said. "He tried to make his voice known to the outside world, and concealed his belongings that could be evidence, so the judgment of the court below is fully accepted."

"Although the defendant submitted a letter of apology and sent an apology letter to the victim, life is the highest value of dignity, and any crime that violates it should be strictly punished even if it is only attempted," he stressed.

"Considering that he committed a crime ahead of the parliamentary election and interfered with the free and fair election, he is deeply guilty," he added. "There is a high possibility that he approached the victim's neck in a defenseless state after pretending to be a supporter."

Kim was put on trial on Jan. 2 on charges of approaching Lee as if he were a supporter of the Gadeokdo Observatory in Gangseo-gu, Busan, stabbing him in the neck with a weapon, and obstructing freedom of elections.

CEO Lee was discharged eight days after surgery and inpatient treatment after suffering a 9mm internal vein damage due to Kim's attack at the time.

Reporter Lee Yu Na from Digital News Team.