U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert will testify to South Korean police Thursday afternoon over last week’s near-fatal knife attack on him by a South Korean man, authorities said.
The National Police Agency said three officers visited Lippert’s home to ask about the details of what happened and how he was assaulted by Kim Ki-jong, who is detained on various charges, including attempted murder.
The purpose of the testimony would be to determine whether Kim had an intent to kill, police officials said.
A week ago, Lippert was slashed on his face and wrist while preparing to give a speech at a performance arts hall in downtown Seoul. The wounds required more than 80 stitches.
Kim had told officers the reason he brought a knife was because his previous attempt to harm a Japanese ambassador to Seoul by hurling pieces of rock in 2010 had failed. He, however, said he did not mean to kill the U.S. ambassador.
Kim’s attorney, Hwang Sang-hyeon, also said Kim’s attack was more of a “symbolic performance” than attempted murder.
Authorities are now investigating what Kim had been up to since Feb. 17, the day he received an invitation to attend the breakfast event where the incident happened.
Kim is currently hospitalized for a broken ankle but is continuing to be questioned by the authorities.
Police have said they will refer the case to prosecutors by Friday.
They are also investigating whether Kim violated a controversial security law that bans South Koreans from openly endorsing rival North Korea. More than a dozen books were found from Kim’s home that are suspected of being in violation of the law.
South Korea remains technically at war with the North after the Korean War in the 1950s ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. (Yonhap)
