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Lee condemns Correspondents' Dinner shooting

Published: 26 Apr. 2026, 16:36

LEE JIAN
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This illustration photo taken in Los Angeles shows a phone with a Truth Social post by U.S. President Donald Trump displaying an image of the alleged suspect in a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner on the ground after being apprehended on April 25. [EPA/YONHAP]

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday expressed shock over the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, condemning the violence and reaffirming Seoul’s commitment to democratic values.

"I am deeply shocked by the violent incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner tonight. It is especially regrettable that such an incident occurred at an event meant to reaffirm the role of the press and freedom of speech," Lee posted on X on Sunday. "I am relieved to hear that President Donald Trump and the First Lady, as well as all those present, are safe. I offer my 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. The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law."

A gunman opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, shooting a Secret Service agent before being swiftly subdued, as U.S. President Donald Trump and other top officials were evacuated from the venue.

Some 2,600 people, including Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, were in attendance.

"A man charged a security check point armed with multiple weapons and he was taken down by very brave members of the Secret Service," Trump said in an emergency press conference at the White House shortly after the incident.

Police detained the suspected gunman, a man from California, at the scene. The Secret Service agent who was shot is not believed to be in a serious condition due to ballistic protective equipment. No other casualties were reported.

BY LEE JIAN [[email protected]]