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US ambassador to S. Korea injured in attack by armed assailant

March 4, 2015
U.S. Seoul envoy Lippert heads to a hospital after being attacked during a lecture. (Yonhap)

U.S. Seoul envoy Lippert heads to a hospital after being attacked during a lecture. (Yonhap)

Lippert

YTN TV said a man only identified by his surname, Kim, was detained after the attack. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert was attacked by a man wielding a razor and screaming that the rival Koreas should be unified, South Korean police and media said Thursday. TV images showed Lippert bleeding from his head and wrist, but his injuries weren’t immediately clear. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

YTN TV reported that the man screamed “South and North Korea should be reunified” during the attack. The rival Koreas have been divided for decades along the world’s most heavily armed border. The U.S. stations 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korea, and some South Koreans see the U.S. presence as a barrier toward a unified Korea.

YTN TV said Lippert’s injuries weren’t seen as life threatening. Police confirmed that Lippert was attacked and a suspect was detained and being questioned but didn’t have other details, including the type of weapon and the extent of Lippert’s injuries. YTN said a man only identified by his surname, Kim, was detained after the attack.

Lippert, 42, became ambassador last year and has been mostly popular during his time in Seoul. His wife gave birth here and the couple gave their son a Korean middle name. Lippert was formerly the U.S. Assistant Secretary Defense for Asian affairs.

UPDATE: The suspect Kim, 55, cut Lippert’s face and wrist with a razor blade around 7:40 a.m., Yonhap reports:

The suspect shouted his opposition to the annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercises that started Monday, police said. The exercises are part of Seoul and Washington’s efforts to better deter threats from North Korea.

Police said Kim may be treated at a hospital for a foot injury before facing questioning.

In July 2010, Kim received a suspended two-year prison term for throwing a piece of concrete at a Japanese ambassador to Seoul.