SOUTH KOREA-USA/AMBASSADOR-VERDICT South Korea court sentences attacker of U.S. ambassador to 12 years jail

Record ID: 140060

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA-USA/AMBASSADOR-VERDICT South Korea court sentences attacker of U.S. ambassador to 12 years jail
  • Date: 11th September 2015
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (SEPTEMBER 11, 2015) (REUTERS) BUSES, ONE OF THOSE CARRYING USA AMBASSADOR ATTACKER KIM KI-JONG DRIVING INTO SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT PEOPLE GETTING OFF BUS BUSES FROM SEOUL DETENTION CENTRE BEING PARKED AT COURT SIGN ON BUS READING (in Korean): EMERGENCY ESCORT BUS BEING PARKED AT COURT SIGN BOARD SHOWING DEPARTMENTS OF CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT EXTERIOR OF SEOUL CENTRAL DISTRICT COURT
  • Embargoed: 26th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABM9VRQY2IBV4KBU35UWZH3H1O
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A South Korean court sentenced on Friday (September 11) a man who attacked the U.S. ambassador to the country in the face with a knife in March to 12 years in jail, finding him guilty of attempted murder and assaulting a foreign envoy.
    Kim Ki-jong, 55, who slashed Ambassador Mark Lippert with a fruit knife at a forum discussing Korean reunification, was also charged with violating the National Security Act, for which he was acquitted.
    Buses from Seoul Detention Centre, carrying Kim arrived at Seoul Central District Court around 09:30AM local time (0030GMT) for the verdict which began at 10:00AM local time (0100GMT).
    Lippert suffered a deep gash to his face that required 80 stitches and injuries to his wrist, leaving him hospitalised for five days.
    Kim has said the attack against Lippert was meant as a protest against joint military drills by U.S. and South Korean troops.
    South Korean prosecutors last week sought a 15-year prison term for the assailant, whose seven trips to North Korea had raised questions about a possible Pyongyang connection.
    Kim has denied any connections to the North. The North's official media said the attack was "deserved punishment" but denied any role in it.
    The attack prompted an outpouring of public support in South Korea for Lippert, whose outgoing and approachable style has made him popular among many in the country since he took up his post last November.
    The U.S. embassy in Seoul did not have immediate comment.
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