According
to Seoul police, Lippert was slashed on his right cheek and hand with a
knife measuring about 10 inches long at 5:42 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
A
South Korean news agency reported that the suspect was opposed to the
joint South Korea-U.S. military drills that launched earlier this week,
but Seoul police said the motive for the attack and how it was organized
are under investigation.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf
confirmed the ambassador had been attacked while giving a speech in
Seoul Thursday morning, and said that the South Korean embassy is
coordinating with local law enforcement on the attack.
"We
strongly condemn this act of violence. The ambassador is being treated
at a local hospital. His injuries are not life threatening," she said.
South
Korean president, Park Geun-hye condemned the attack: "This incident is
not only a physical attack on the U.S. ambassador, but an attack on the
South Korea-U.S. alliance and it can never be tolerated."
She pledged a "thorough investigation and strengthening" of protection.
Lippert
is a longtime friend and confidant of President Barack Obama, who has
been a member of his inner circle since the President's time as senator.
According to National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan,
Obama called Lippert to wish him well.
"The
President called U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mark
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," Meehan
said in a statement.
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