(LEAD) Stabbed opposition leader Lee returns to work after 15 days

SEOUL, Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung returned to work Wednesday, 15 days after he was stabbed in a knife attack and underwent surgery. "It feels new coming to the National Assembly and meeting the press," Lee, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), said to reporters upon his arrival at the National Assembly. "I think what I have experienced is trivial compared with the pain people around the world experience from real hardships," he said. He also thanked all who helped his recovery and vowed to fulfill his responsibilities as party leader. "I will do my best to fulfill the responsibilities given to me. I was able to come back to work thanks to so many people. Thank you," he said. As his first official schedule, Lee presided over a Supreme Council meeting. During the meeting, Lee underscored the party's commitment to passing judgment on the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol in the April elections. "This election will be a mid-term evaluation of the administration, as well as a jud gment against power," Lee said. "The Democratic Party will do our best to bring (the government) to account. Although they try to kill (us) with the law, or a pen and even a knife, we will never die." Lee was stabbed in the neck by a man in his 60s posing as an autograph-seeker during his visit to the southeastern port city of Busan on Jan. 2. He was airlifted to Seoul and underwent surgery for a laceration to a major vein in his neck. The assailant told police he stabbed Lee to prevent him from becoming president. Source: Yonhap News Agency