South Korean Charged With Attempted Murder of U.S. Ambassador
SEOUL, April 2 (UPI) — The South Korean assailant who slashed the top U.S. envoy to Seoul with a knife on March 5 has been charged with attempted murder.
The Seoul Central District Court made the announcement Wednesday, four weeks after the incident left South Koreans stunned – and culminated in dozens of civic groups rallying in support of the U.S. ambassador.
Ambassador Mark Lippert received 80 stitches for a four-inch long wound that traveled an inch deep into his face, CNN reported. Dr. Jung Nam-shik, who treated the diplomat, said Lippert did not suffer any serious facial nerve damage.
South Korean police said Kim Ki-jong attacked the ambassador with a 10-inch knife because he was opposed to the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises.
President Park Geun-hye had condemned the attack and said the incident symbolized an attack on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which can “never be tolerated.”
Park had experienced a similar knife assault in 2006.
Investigations into the case have uncovered several documents of North Korean origin in Kim’s possession, including a volume on North Korean cinema by former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and at least five other books published in North Korea. Kim most likely acquired the books when he traveled to North Korea between 1999 and 2007, Yonhap reported.
Kim has denied any links to North Korea, and South Korean prosecution has not charged Kim with violating the National Security Law.
Yonhap reported the absence of the charge had South Koreans speculating. Kim faces other charges – for attacking a diplomatic envoy and disturbance of the peace.
South Korean prosecution said more corroborative investigation is needed before concluding Kim is in violation of security laws. Kim’s anti-American protests are not sufficient evidence, and Kim said he “doesn’t know” how he came into possession of pro-North Korea literature.
