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Attacker on U.S. envoy to South Korea opposed military exercises

The assailant was universally condemned by both the U.S. and South Korean governments for his attack on a top U.S. envoy widely known for his active engagement with the South Korean public.

By Elizabeth Shim
U.S. ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was preparing to deliver a guest lecture in Seoul when he was attacked with a knife by a South Korean assailant with a history of politically motivated assaults. Photo by YTN/Yonhap
U.S. ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was preparing to deliver a guest lecture in Seoul when he was attacked with a knife by a South Korean assailant with a history of politically motivated assaults. Photo by YTN/Yonhap

SEOUL, March 4 (UPI) -- The assailant in a knife attack on the top U.S. envoy to South Korea said the motive for his "terrorism" was the ongoing joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

Before being placed into custody, Kim Ki-jong, 55, shouted his vehement opposition to the military drills that North Korea denounced as an "anti-unification sin" that would bring about "merciless punishment," Yonhap reported.

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On Thursday Seoul time, U.S. ambassador Mark Lippert, 42, was preparing to deliver a guest lecture at the invitation of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation in Seoul, when Kim came from behind and attacked him.

Eyewitnesses said they saw Kim push Lippert down then proceeded to slash him in the face and left wrist with a razor blade, Yonhap reported.

Lippert was undergoing medical treatment.

Kim is no stranger to violent attacks against foreign diplomats in Seoul.

In 2010, he was arrested for hurling a block of concrete at the Japanese ambassador. He was imprisoned for two years and was placed on probation for three years.

YTN, Yonhap's television network, said Kim was also arrested in 2007 for sexual assault and for partly immolating himself in front of the Blue House, the official residence of South Korea's president.

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The State Department confirmed the assault on Lippert, condemning the attack but stating the ambassador's injuries were not life-threatening.

YTN reported Lippert was much praised and admired for his active and often direct engagement with the South Korean people and Korean culture.

South Korea's governing Saenuri party also condemned the act as an attack on the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

Earlier in February the Korea Herald reported that during a meeting with South Korean lawmakers, the U.S. envoy and the South Koreans could not arrive at a unified policy toward North Korea.

In 2014, South Korean President Park Geun-hye wanted to increase talks and engagement with North Korea but the Obama administration sought to increase sanctions against the isolated country, partly in response to the North's alleged hacking of Sony Pictures in November.

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