Strengthening Candidate Lee Jae-myung's Security: Requests for Bulletproof Vests and Cooperation from the Presidential Security Service

The Democratic Party of Korea is significantly enhancing the security for candidate Lee Jae-myung. The party has requested cooperation not only from police security but also from the Presidential Security Service.

Candidate Lee Jae-myung has recently been wearing a bulletproof vest during campaign events and is taking special care to minimize direct contact with citizens.

At candidate Lee's campaign events, security personnel have been spotted thoroughly scanning the surroundings with binoculars. When the candidate arrives, security members surround him while carrying bulletproof bags. The Democratic Party explained that these measures are due to serious threats of terrorism against the candidate.

Representative Kim Hyun of the Democratic Party stated on the 8th, "We have received a total of 240 tips regarding death threats so far, of which we have referred 7 cases for investigation and completed 5 complaints." Due to these threatening circumstances, candidate Lee has increased security measures by appearing at campaign sites wearing a bulletproof vest.

As the threats have intensified, the Democratic Party has decided to minimize direct contact such as handshakes or hugs during interactions with citizens. Concerns have further escalated following reports of rifles capable of long-distance sniping being smuggled in.

On March 12, Representative Hwang Jung-a of the Democratic Party revealed, "Several members have received texts planning to assassinate candidate Lee Jae-myung by smuggling Russian-made pistols." In response, the campaign even suggested the deployment of balloon barriers to prevent sniping at campaign sites.

Considering the fact that candidate Lee was actually targeted in a knife attack during last year's general elections, the Democratic Party's campaign has formed its own security team, mainly composed of lawmakers with military or police backgrounds. Despite receiving police protection, they have decided to request cooperation from the Presidential Security Service.

Choe Sung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election campaign, stated, "Isn't the Presidential Security Service the most authoritative agency? We are requesting their cooperation."

In response, the Presidential Security Service explained that according to relevant laws, they can perform security duties for national figures, including presidential candidates, and they are maintaining their readiness for security preparations.

The security service stated that they are prepared to provide the same level of security for not only candidate Lee Jae-myung but also candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party. However, the Democratic Party anticipates that it will take time for the security service to actually provide substantive security.

Image source: On May 12, 2025, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is seen wearing election campaign clothing over a bulletproof vest at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee's launch ceremony held at Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the first day of the official campaign for the 21st Presidential Election. 2025.5.12/News1, News1. On the same day, candidate Lee conducted a concentrated campaign event at the Central Music Fountain Plaza in Dongtan, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, while police maintained security. 2025.5.12/News1.