US Ambassador to South Korea Attacked with Razor

Mr. Mark Lippert was attacked in the face and hands by a man with a razor blade after he shouted an anti-war slogan in the capital Seoul on March 5.

According to AFP, the US strongly condemned the violent act that left Mr. Lippert bleeding and taken to the hospital immediately afterwards. The US side also said that US President Barack Obama had a conversation with Mr. Lippert.

Ambassador Mark Lippert attacked (Photo AFP)

“The President called Mr. Lippert and his wife, Robyn, to let them know that he is in his prayers and wishes them a speedy recovery,” National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.

Witnesses said Mr Lippert's attacker hid a razor blade in his right hand and attacked Mr Lippert as he prepared to have breakfast at the Sejong Cultural Institute in central Seoul.

After being attacked, Mr. Lippert rushed out of the building, clutching his bleeding left cheek, his other hand was also bloody, and he had a deep wound on his wrist.

Mr. Lippert was then placed in a police car and taken to the hospital. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in South Korea said that Mr. Lippert's health condition is now more stable.

US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Mr. Lippert's injuries were not life-threatening.

“We can confirm that Mr. Lippert was attacked on the morning of March 5 in Seoul while giving a presentation. We strongly condemn this act of violence,” Ms. Harf said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kim Young-man, spokesman for the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, the organizer that invited Mr. Lippert to give a presentation, apologized for the lack of security at the event.

“The man suddenly jumped out of his seat when breakfast was brought to the Ambassador,” Mr. Kim said.

“Many people tried to stop the man, but it happened too quickly and the Ambassador suffered facial injuries and had to be hospitalized,” Mr. Kim added.

Security personnel and police later stopped the attacker, who was wearing traditional Korean clothing.

Several Korean TV channels said that this attacker had previously attacked the Japanese Ambassador to Korea in 2010./.

According to VOV