SOUTH KOREA-USA/AMBASSADOR South Korea charges attacker of U.S. envoy with attempted murder

Record ID: 136073

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA-USA/AMBASSADOR South Korea charges attacker of U.S. envoy with attempted murder
  • Date: 1st April 2015
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - MARCH 6, 2015) (REUTERS) KIM SURROUNDED BY SOUTH KOREAN POLICE OFFICERS AND BEING LIFTED DOWN STAIRS KIM SEATED ON WHEELCHAIR SURROUNDED BY POLICE OFFICERS AND JOURNALISTS SOUTH KOREAN SUSPECT KIM KI-JONG SPEAKING POLICE OFFICERS LIFTING KIM INTO POLICE BUS
  • Embargoed: 16th April 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAHW60L8VQHK6H4D3K83BDUPZI
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Prosecutors said on Wednesday (April 1) that they have formally charged a South Korean man with attempted murder after the U.S. ambassador in Seoul was slashed in the face in a knife attack last month, leaving him with wounds needing 80 stitches.
    Kim Ki-jong, 55, attacked ambassador Mark Lippert with a fruit knife during a forum on Korean reunification in Seoul on March 5. Lippert, 42, suffered deep gashes to his face and wrist and was in hospital for five days.
    "Prosecutors charged the defendant, who tried to kill U.S. ambassador to South Korea while protesting against U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises, with attempted murder, the assault of a foreign envoy, and obstruction of duty," Second Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Lee Sang-ho, said at news briefing.
    Kim could face life in prison or even the death penalty, which is rarely used in South Korea, if found guilty of attempted murder.
    Prosecutors were still investigating whether Kim had infringed the National Security Act, a 67-year-old statute that prohibits support for North Korea. Critics have said the potential use of the act is an attempt to politicise the case.
    The attack prompted a large outpouring of public support in South Korea. Lippert returned to work late last month, and responded to messages of support in a blog post on Wednesday.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register