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US ambassador to South Korea attacked US ambassador to South Korea injured by attacker
(about 1 hour later)
US ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert has been injured by an attacker in Seoul, officials say and media say. US ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert has been injured by an attacker in Seoul, officials say.
They say the attack happened as Mr Lippert, 42, was about to attend a breakfast meeting in the capital. The attack happened as Mr Lippert, 42, was about to attend a breakfast meeting in the capital.
YTN news channel posted a photo, showing the envoy bleeding from his head and left hand. He was reportedly cut by a razor blade. Pictures later emerged showing the envoy bleeding from his face and left hand. He was cut by a razor blade.
Mr Lippert was taken to hospital. The attacker - whose identity was not immediately known - was arrested. Mr Lippert was taken to hospital. The attacker - believed to be a 55-year-old man - was subdued by security officers and arrested.
His injuries are not life-threatening, the US State Department said. Mr Lippert's injuries were not life-threatening, the US State Department said.
'Anti-war slogan''Anti-war slogan'
The attack happened at about 07:40 (22:40 GMT Wednesday), as the ambassador was entering a lecture hall in central Seoul, South Koran police were quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. The attack happened at about 07:40 (22:40 GMT Wednesday), as the ambassador was entering a lecture hall in central Seoul, South Korean police were quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.
The assailant reportedly shouted "South and North Korea should be reunified!" before lashing out at the envoy.The assailant reportedly shouted "South and North Korea should be reunified!" before lashing out at the envoy.
The attacker also expressed his opposition to annual military exercises held jointly by South Korea and the US, which are currently under way.The attacker also expressed his opposition to annual military exercises held jointly by South Korea and the US, which are currently under way.
US President Barack Obama later called Mr Lippert to wish him a speedy recovery, Reuters reports. North Korea has described the exercises - which involve more than 200,000 troops - as a rehearsal for an invasion and has vowed retaliation.
"We strongly condemn this act of violence," said the US State Department. However, there is no evidence that the attacker was an agent of North Korea, the BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul reports.
Some South Koreans believe that the American military presence prevents unification of the two Koreas, our correspondent adds.
The assailant had previously thrown concrete at the Japanese ambassador to South Korea. He also has a record of militant Korean nationalistic activism.
US President Barack Obama later called Mr Lippert to wish him "the very best for a speedy recovery", US National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said.
Meanwhile, the US state department said: "We strongly condemn this act of violence."
Mr Lippert - a former US assistant secretary of defence - was appointed ambassador to South Korea in 2014.Mr Lippert - a former US assistant secretary of defence - was appointed ambassador to South Korea in 2014.
His wife gave birth in the country, and the couple gave their son a Korean middle name, according to the Associated Press news agency.His wife gave birth in the country, and the couple gave their son a Korean middle name, according to the Associated Press news agency.