Democratic Party: "Concerns for the candidate's safety are growing… Bulletproof measures are inevitable"

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, has decided to install bulletproof glass barriers at campaign sites starting as early as this week. This decision comes in response to recent threats of terrorism and heightened concerns within the party, prompting official protective measures for the candidate.

According to the Democratic Party's Central Election Strategy Committee on the 18th, candidate Lee plans to install bulletproof glass barriers that protect the front and back on the podium of his campaign stage.

Kang Hoon-sik, the deputy head of the Central Election Strategy Committee, mentioned at a press conference on the 16th, "There are significant concerns about the candidate's security," and added, "We plan to prepare and install the bulletproof glass barriers early next week."

Bulletproof glass, introduced in the U.S. after the attack on Trump… It's the first time in Korea

The bulletproof glass barriers that candidate Lee will use are similar to the security measures adopted immediately after Donald Trump was attacked during the U.S. presidential election.

At that time, candidate Trump used a completely enclosed four-sided bulletproof barrier, whereas Lee plans to implement a two-sided structure. It is the first time a presidential candidate in the Republic of Korea has used bulletproof glass barriers.

Lee is already conducting his campaign while wearing a bulletproof vest. The vest he is wearing weighs about 3 kg and is known to provide minimal protection against unspecified threats.

Countermeasures against drones and snipers… Security for the presidential election is beyond level 'Eul-ho'

Currently, security for major presidential candidates, including Lee, is at the 'Eul-ho' level, similar to that of the Prime Minister or the Chief Justice. However, the security level has been exceptionally heightened for this election. Security personnel equipped with special binoculars are conducting detailed surveillance, and equipment for detecting snipers is also being deployed.

Police special forces have been stationed on rooftops of buildings near campaign sites, and equipment for detecting drone terrorism, such as radio detectors and jamming devices, is in operation. Before the campaign stage is set up, bomb detection dogs will conduct preliminary searches.

A Democratic Party official stated, "There have been continuous reports of unspecified threats against the candidate, and the supporters' anxiety is increasing. We are taking all possible measures to ensure normal election activities."

Image source: News1