Lippert attack probe expands

By Lee Kyung-min

Kim Ki-jong

The man who attacked the U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert is a follower of North Korea with a deep animosity towards the United States, police said Friday.

“Kim Ki-jong targeted Lippert because he thought the envoy was a symbol of the U.S.,” Kim Ki-cheol, an officer from the National Police Agency, told reporters as he announced the results of the police’s initial investigation into the attack.

The officer said Kim had contacted a South Korean man who was previously convicted of spying for North Korea before assaulting Lippert, and has had ties with pro-Pyongyang groups.

This indicates that the probe will now expand to activists and politicians who are deemed sympathetic to the isolationist country.

Kim has claimed that he carried out the attack alone, but police said somebody else might be behind the attack.

“The focus for the investigation may shift to those who are around Kim,” the officer said.

Police said they referred this case to the prosecution with the recommendation Kim be charged with attempted murder, violence against a foreign envoy and business obstruction.

Depending on how the probe progresses, Kim may face an additional charge of violating the National Security Law, police said.

Lippert was attending a breakfast forum when he was slashed on his cheek and wrist, suffering deep wounds that required 80 stitches.

Following the incident, Kim said he attacked the U.S. envoy because Key Resolve, a joint military drill between Seoul and Washington, hampers reunification.

During questioning, Kim said the South is a semi-colonial country of the U.S., whereas the North is an independent, self-sustaining nation, adding that he admires the North’s founder Kim Il-sung, according to the police.

On March 2, three days before the incident, he visited the National Assembly Library to draw up leaflets denouncing the joint military drill with an intention to distribute them at the breakfast forum.

At a library computer he searched words such as “Obama,” “Key Resolve” and “Lippert,” which police said was done in preparation for the attack.

On the day of the attack, he left his home with a piece of razor and a 25-centimeter-long knife with the full intention to harm the envoy if “things did not work out,” police said.

“Kim already said he carried the knife to harm the envoy. He immediately attacked him upon recognizing him in the room. Kim attacked him twice despite efforts on Lippert’s part to defend himself. With such circumstances, his intent is proven,” police said.

Kim said he had no intention to kill, only to harm.

Kim's attorney, Hwang Sang-hyeon, said Kim's attack was more of a "symbolic performance" than a murder attempt.

On Thursday, police visited Lippert at his residence to ask questions about the incident. He wants Kim to be punished for his crimes, police said.