The beleaguered candidate unveiled his protective gear during his campaign kickoff last month, underscoring concerns about the increasing threats he faces on the campaign trail. During a recent public address, he was urged by supporters to remain behind the glass shield after he momentarily stepped out of its protection. The level of media access has been heavily limited, with only a select number of journalists allowed to follow him.

The urgency for security is amplified by a recent spike in threats against him. The National Police Agency reported close to a dozen online threats targeting Lee, some of which are now under investigation. "Threat levels for this election have been higher than those in the past," said Yoon Taeyoung, a professor specializing in crisis management at Kyungnam University.

Although political violence in South Korea is generally rare, there is a troubling history that includes attacks on high-profile politicians, such as the assault on former President Park Geun-hye in 2006 and the assassination of her father in 1979. More recently, in 2022, there was an attack on then-Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil.

As the election draws nearer, Lee's security strategy is a striking reminder of the polarized nature of South Korean politics, raising questions about safety and political discourse in the nation.