[20150310]IN10243_对美国驻韩国大使的袭击.pdf

CRS InsightsThe Attack Against the U.S. Ambassador to South KoreaMark E. Manyin, Specialist in Asian Affairs (mmanyincrs.loc.gov, 7-7653)Alex Tiersky, Analyst in Foreign Affairs (atierskycrs.loc.gov, 7-7367)March 10, 2015 (IN10243)At a March 5 breakfast meeting in Seoul, a South Korean man attacked U.S. Ambassador to SouthKorea Mark Lippert with a knife, sending the Ambassador to the hospital with deep cuts on his face,fingers, and wrist. Lippert required surgery, including 80 stitches on his face. He was discharged onMarch 10 and is expected to make a complete recovery. Many Korean dignitaries, including PresidentPark Geun-hye and the heads of South Koreas ruling party and main opposition party, visited Lippert inthe hospital.South Korean authorities arrested the attacker, Kim Ki-jong, on attempted murder and other charges.At the scene and later through his lawyer, Kim said he acted alone to protest large-scale annual U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which he said hinder inter-Korean dialogue and efforts forreunification. Kim is the director of a left-wing nationalist civic group. He has a history of involvementin anti-U.S. protests, has expressed support for pro-North Korean