Anti-Corruption Commission Reverses Earlier Ruling on 2024 Medical Helicopter Transport of Lee Jae-myung

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission overturned its earlier decision on May 8, 2026, ruling that the helicopter airlift of then-Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung fell within the scope of authority and did not constitute preferential treatment.

The reversal came after an internal probe found that the then deputy chief of the commission exercised undue influence in the original finding that the airlift breached the code of conduct. Medical staff and rescue workers involved in the January 2, 2024 decision will no longer face disciplinary measures.

President Lee Jae-myung posted a message on the social platform X on May 9, 2026 linking to news of the commission's reversal. In the post he credited public support with saving him from multiple threats, including the 2024 knife attack. "People saved him from the terrorist murder attempt, a judicial murder through fabricated indictments by the prosecution and an honor killing using manipulated media," he wrote.

Lee was stabbed in the neck on January 2, 2024 in Busan by a 67-year-old man posing as a supporter while visiting the southeastern city. He was transported by helicopter that day from Pusan National University Hospital to Seoul National University Hospital for surgery. At the time Yoon Suk Yeol was the sitting president of South Korea.

The commission had initially determined the airlift as preferential treatment not allowed for ordinary people. It had also said that the medical staff and rescue workers involved in the airlift decision deserved disciplinary measures for violating their code of conduct.

In his May 9 message Lee reflected on the attack that occurred when he led the main opposition Democratic Party. "My life now belongs entirely to the people," he stated on X. " He closed the post with a pledge of total commitment.

"Even if my body breaks down, to the very last moment, I will devote my heart and all my strength to the people," President Lee Jae-myung wrote. He added that he survived the 2024 knife attack thanks to people's support. Yonhap reported that the commission reached its new conclusion after determining the original decision was tainted by internal pressure.

The reversal ends more than two years of official scrutiny over the emergency medical response that followed the stabbing in Busan.