The United States (US) ambassador to South Korea is already in a stable condition after being attacked by a South Korean with a fruit knife in Seoul during a breakfast forum
(Reuters) –U.S. ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was slashed in the face by a Korean assailant at a breakfast forum in the capital early on Thursday (March 5), police and a witness said, but was not seriously wounded.
Lippert, 42, was bleeding from a facial wound but was walking after the attack as he was taken to the hospital. He was later reported to be in a stable condition.
A White House official in Washington said Lippert’s injuries were not life-threatening. U.S. President Barack Obama called Lippert to wish him a speedy recovery, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said.
The assailant, identified by police as Kim Ki-jong, 55, wore traditional Korean clothing and shouted that North and South Korea should be reunited. He also shouted that he opposed war exercises, an apparent reference to annual joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises that began this week.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, speaking on CNN, said Lippert was a respected and well-liked Asia expert.
The event was hosted by the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation.
Lippert was taken to Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul after the incident.
The breakfast forum he attended was held in the capital on Thursday morning to discuss Korean reunification, police and witnesses said.
A car that took Lippert to the hospital was parked in front of the hospital building and police officers were guarding the entrance.
The South Korean foreign ministry on Thursday morning expressed “deep regret” over the incident.
“Our government feels shock and deep regret over an attack on U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert this morning,” said South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il at a news briefing.
“This attack is totally unacceptable for any reason. We take this especially seriously because it has happened to the ambassador of our most important ally, the United States,” Noh added.
Noh also said the government plans to thoroughly investigate the attack and vowed to make all efforts for the safety and protection of foreign envoys and embassy facilities.
Witnesses and police said the assailant used a small fruit knife in the attack.
Lippert, who took office in November, is known for an open, informal style. He is active on Twitter and can often be seen walking his basset hound, Grigsby, in Seoul. His wife recently gave birth to a son, who was given a Korean middle name.
