A specialized police task force is investigating the Gadukdo terror incident, which has been recognized as the first state-sponsored terrorism case in South Korea. Initiated following an attack on President Lee Jae-myung on January 2, 2024, the investigation has led the police to conduct searches at key government institutions, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the National Assembly's Information Committee. The president was attacked during a visit to the new airport site in Gadukdo, resulting in severe injuries that required emergency surgery.

The Democratic Party has accused the government of minimizing and distorting the nature of the attack, alleging that under the administration of President Yoon Seok-yeol, the NIS and counter-terrorism agencies failed to label the incident as terrorism effectively. As a response to these claims, the National Counter-Terrorism Policy Committee officially recognized the attack as a terrorist act at the end of last month, a designation that has reignited calls for a comprehensive investigation.

This incident underscores the heightened tensions within South Korea's political landscape and raises concerns about national security and the effectiveness of the government's counter-terrorism measures. The developments from this investigation could significantly impact public perception of the current administration and the overall political climate in the country, particularly as South Korea approaches critical elections and political decisions.