"Arrest" in South Korea rally attack "Park Geun-hye of the Grand National Party(GNP) was assaulted with a box cutter at a campaign rall

Last Updated: Monday, 22 May 2006, 09:30 GMT 10:30 UK 'Arrest' in S Korea rally attack The attack provoked a public outpouring of anger A man suspected of slashing the face of South Korea's main opposition leader is set to be formally arrested over the incident, prosecutors have said. Park Geun-hye, of the Grand National Party (GNP), was assaulted with a box cutter at a campaign rally on Saturday. She is recovering from hospital after receiving an 11cm (four inch) gash to her cheek. Chief suspect Ji Choong-hu was detained at the scene and has been questioned over the attack. Senior prosecutor Lee Seung-ku said he would be filing for formal arrest warrants for both Mr Ji and another man arrested at the scene, Park Jong-yeol, a card-carrying member of the Uri party. "We plan to seek arrest warrants for both of them by 7pm (1000 GMT)," he told a news conference. He said he would consider what charges Mr Ji may face, which could include attempted murder, after speaking to doctors. Mr Lee said both men denied knowing each other. 'Recovering fast' Park Geun-hye was climbing the steps to a podium at a campaign rally ahead of 31 May local elections, when the attack happened. A hand shot up from her right and swung across her cheek, Reuters news agency reports. She reportedly needed 60 stitches for the gash and doctors say she will be unable to speak normally or chew for several weeks. Hospital official Park Chang-il said on Monday she was "recovering fast". "She still complains of frequent pain, but she seems to have quite stabilised," the official said. The attack has provoked an outpouring of public outrage and sympathy for Ms Park, who is seen as a likely candidate for the 2007 presidential election. The 54-year-old is the daughter of former President Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated in 1979. Her mother was fatally shot five years earlier. Ms Park said there should be no assumption that the assault was politically motivated, the GNP said in a statement, but the party leadership called it a "premeditated attempt" on her life. The ruling Uri Party, which has terminated Park Jong-yeol's membership, expressed regret for the attack but warned the GNP against using the assault for "political purposes". (BBC)