North Korea hails ‘just punishment’ as U.S. ambassador attacked

North Korea has called a knife attack on the American ambassador in Seoul “just punishment” for the U.S. decision to push ahead with joint military exercises with South Korea. The 42-year-old Mark Lippert was slashed on the face and wrist by a knife-wielding attacker shouting for unification of the divided peninsula. He was taken hospital after the attack during a breakfast speech in Seoul, and underwent surgery for more than two hours. His injuries were not life-threatening. State Secretary John Kerry said the U.S. would not be intimidated and vowed that anyone who threatens or harms American diplomats would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I carried out an act of terror.

Suspected attacker Kim Ki-Jong,

Earlier, the official North Korean KCNA news agency had described the attack as “just punishment for U.S. warmongers” and called it a valid “expression of resistance”. Footage taken after the attack showed Lippert being rushed out of the building holding one hand to his bleeding right cheek, with his other hand smeared with blood. Security staff and police officers were seen jumping on the ambassador’s assailant, who was armed with a 10-inch blade. Several hours after the attack, Lippert tweeted that he was “doing well&in great spirits” and would be back “ASAP” to advance the U.S.-South Korean alliance.

World South Korea ambassador