Details regarding the party membership of the suspect in the stabbing attack of Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday are unlikely to be disclosed, according to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency.

“After internal discussions, it was concluded that while Kim’s political party affiliation is a matter of public concern, it could not be disclosed under the law,” a Busan Metropolitan Police Agency official told The Korea Herald on Sunday.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency made the internal conclusion that it would be difficult to disclose information about the stabbing attack suspect’s party affiliation in accordance with Article 24 of the Political Parties Act.

According to the Political Parties Act, investigative agencies are prohibited from disclosing information regarding a suspect’s affiliation with a political party that it has learned during the course of the investigation. Violations of this law are punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or with a fine.

The suspect, identified by his surname Kim, reportedly said he was a political party member during police investigations.

South Korean local media reported that he allegedly became a local party member of the Democratic Party in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, in April 2023 and was a member of the Saenuri Party, a predecessor of the People Power Party, for four to five years until 2020.

After obtaining a search warrant on Wednesday, the police investigation checked relevant materials with the parties.

Police are expected to release final information regarding the criminal investigation results in the following week, including Kim’s motives for the crime and whether there were any accomplices.

The spokesperson of the main opposition Democratic Party, Park Sung-joon, urged police on Sunday to carry out a "thorough investigation that eliminates any lingering suspicions" in response to the decision not to disclose the political affiliation of the suspect.

"Political affiliation is a critical factor in uncovering political motives. Therefore, the Democratic Party actively cooperated in accordance with the court's warrant," Park said during a press briefing. "Investigative agencies bear the responsibility to eradicate any lingering doubt from the minds of the public."