North Korea Hails Attack on Mark Lippert as ‘Righteous Punishment’ Against US
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Handout/The Asia Economy Daily via Getty Images(SEOUL, South Korea) — North Korea hailed a South Korean man’s attack on the U.S. ambassador to Seoul in a statement through its Korean Central News Agency, stating that the attack “reflects public opinion” in South Korea and is a “righteous punishment” against the United States.
According to the statement, the alleged assailant, Kim Ki-jong, 55, gave “a knife-attack shower of justice” to Mark Lippert, who police said was slashed on the face and wrist with a 10-inch fruit knife.
Lippert was seen with blood on his hand and holding his bleeding face, and medical officials said 80 stitches were needed to close the facial wound. Lippert was in stable condition after undergoing surgery, the U.S. Embassy said.
The assailant shouted “No to war training!” before attacking Lippert, the Yonhap news agency reported. The man was later tackled and arrested.
The U.S. State Department condemned the attack, which happened at a performing arts center in downtown Seoul as the ambassador was preparing for a lecture about prospects for peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.
President Obama called Lippert to tell him that “he and his wife Robyn are in his thoughts and prayers, and to wish him the very best for a speedy recovery,” according to National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan.
Lippert previously held positions at the Department of Defense from May 2012 until September 2014, according to the embassy website.
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