Breaking World News – The U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, was attacked Thursday morning (local time, late evening ET) in Seoul by an armed assailant, officials said.
The envoy was on his way to attend a morning lecture in central Seoul when the attack took place, according to the Yonhap news agency, which had a picture of Lippert bleeding.
Police told CNBC that the ambassador was sliced with a razor near his face, but that the injury was not life-threatening.
Lippert, 42, was rushed to a nearby hospital, sources told Yonhap, adding that the unidentified suspect was immediately apprehended.
The State Department later released a statement saying, “We can confirm that U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert was assaulted this morning in Seoul while giving a speech. He is being treated at a local hospital. His injuries are not life threatening. Embassy Seoul is coordinating with local law enforcement authorities. We do not have any additional details to share at this time.”
A former Senate staff member for President Barack Obama, Lippert was a key advisor during the 2008 campaign, former Chief of Staff to the Obama NSC, and was confirmed as Ambassador last September after serving Chuck Hagel in the Pentagon.
A spokeswoman for the White House said,”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.”
— Hasani Gittens, NBCNews.com
