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Lee condemns White House correspondents' dinner shooting as 'grave threat to democracy'
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By
Bahk Eun-ji
Published
Apr 26, 2026 4:04 pm
KST
Updated
Apr 26, 2026 4:50 pm
KST
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a Korea-Vietnam business forum at a hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, Thursday. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung expressed his shock Sunday over a violent incident at the White House Correspondents’ dinner, condemning political violence and offering sympathies to the American public.
In a post on social media platform X, Lee said he was “deeply shocked by the violent incident” and called it “especially regrettable” given that the event was meant to reaffirm the role of the press and freedom of speech.
According to media reports, the incident occurred during the annual dinner hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association in Washington, D.C., where an armed suspect opened fire at Secret Service agents before being subdued and taken into custody.
The White House Correspondents’ dinner is a high-profile event attended by senior government officials, journalists and public figures, highlighting the symbolic importance of the gathering.
No injuries were reported among key attendees, and U.S. President Donald Trump and the first lady were safely evacuated from the venue following the incident, according to reports.
Lee expressed relief over their safety, saying he extends his “deepest sympathies to the American people.”
“Political violence is a grave threat that undermines the very foundation of democracy and can never be justified under any circumstances,” Lee said.
He added that the Korean government “firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law.”
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