It is worrisome for the attack and the injuries to the Ambassador, but, also because a USA Ambassador was attacked by a South Korean activist. I find this odd. The Ambassadors are usually held in esteem. What is this activist so angry about that he needed to attempt a death to our Ambassador?
March 5, 2015
By The Korean Times
Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo (click here) expressed regret over the shocking attack on U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert on Thursday, ordering diplomatic efforts to prevent any negative impact on bilateral relations.
The 55-year-old progressive activist Kim Ki-jong cut Lippert's face and wrist with a razor blade as the U.S. official was preparing to give a lecture at a breakfast function in central Seoul.
The assailant was immediately arrested while Lippert, bleeding, was rushed to a nearby hospital. The U.S. state department said his injuries are not life-threatening and strongly denounced the violence.
"It is regrettable that an incident like this took place," Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo said of the attack. He ordered utmost efforts for the treatment of Lippert....
According to Mr. Cleary, the activist opposed the military presence of the USA.
March 4, 2015
By Tom Cleary
Kim Ki-jong (click here) has been identified as the man suspected of attacking the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert in Seoul, according to Korean media reports and the New York Times. His name has also been spelled Ki-joong in some reports.
The attack happened while Lippert was attending a breakfast event organized by the Korean Council for Rehabilitation and Reconciliation at a central Seoul lecture hall, according to the Associated Press.
Lippert, who has been ambassador to South Korea since October, was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. Local media reports showed Lippert bleeding heavily, but conscious and walking under his own power....
Mr. Cleary istated the assailant was to have thought of himself as a guardian of the Dokdo Islands. There is a long running argument between Japan and South Korea over these islands. The assailant to the Ambassador once tried self-immolation.
Dokdo Island (click here) (also called Liancourt Rocks by some
nations and Takeshima by Japan) is 215 kms from mainland Korea and 250
kms from Japan proper....
This aerial photograph of Dokdo Island shows both the East Islet (right) and West Islet. The East Islet has a watchtower and living facilities for the ROKs Police Guards as well as a hellicopter pad. The West Islet is home to Dokdo’s long-tme permanent residents, Kim Seong Do and his wife Kim Shin Yeol.
This is part of the problem in the Pacific. There are many small islands and island chains of which countries argue is their sovereign land. The problem here is both South Korea and Japan are USA allies. Why was this man so upset with the USA Ambassador? Is he simply unstable or is the USA doing something wrong that is harmful to the affections of the South Koreans of these islands?
The reason these arguments exist is the islands add territorial rights to waters. In the waters are fish for the fishing industry, but, also vantage points to spying, supposedly. If one recalls the Bush Administration annexed islands near the Hawaiian Island Chains. I suppose that was just a way for the USA to add to the tensions throughout the region. The islands added to the Hawaiian chain are really interesting biologically. It is important they are protected actually. This is the dilemma. Ah, yes.
March 5, 2015
By The Korean Times
Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo (click here) expressed regret over the shocking attack on U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert on Thursday, ordering diplomatic efforts to prevent any negative impact on bilateral relations.
The 55-year-old progressive activist Kim Ki-jong cut Lippert's face and wrist with a razor blade as the U.S. official was preparing to give a lecture at a breakfast function in central Seoul.
The assailant was immediately arrested while Lippert, bleeding, was rushed to a nearby hospital. The U.S. state department said his injuries are not life-threatening and strongly denounced the violence.
"It is regrettable that an incident like this took place," Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo said of the attack. He ordered utmost efforts for the treatment of Lippert....
According to Mr. Cleary, the activist opposed the military presence of the USA.
March 4, 2015
By Tom Cleary
Kim Ki-jong (click here) has been identified as the man suspected of attacking the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert in Seoul, according to Korean media reports and the New York Times. His name has also been spelled Ki-joong in some reports.
The attack happened while Lippert was attending a breakfast event organized by the Korean Council for Rehabilitation and Reconciliation at a central Seoul lecture hall, according to the Associated Press.
Lippert, who has been ambassador to South Korea since October, was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. Local media reports showed Lippert bleeding heavily, but conscious and walking under his own power....
Mr. Cleary istated the assailant was to have thought of himself as a guardian of the Dokdo Islands. There is a long running argument between Japan and South Korea over these islands. The assailant to the Ambassador once tried self-immolation.
Dokdo Island (click here) (also called Liancourt Rocks by some
nations and Takeshima by Japan) is 215 kms from mainland Korea and 250
kms from Japan proper....This aerial photograph of Dokdo Island shows both the East Islet (right) and West Islet. The East Islet has a watchtower and living facilities for the ROKs Police Guards as well as a hellicopter pad. The West Islet is home to Dokdo’s long-tme permanent residents, Kim Seong Do and his wife Kim Shin Yeol.
This is part of the problem in the Pacific. There are many small islands and island chains of which countries argue is their sovereign land. The problem here is both South Korea and Japan are USA allies. Why was this man so upset with the USA Ambassador? Is he simply unstable or is the USA doing something wrong that is harmful to the affections of the South Koreans of these islands?
The reason these arguments exist is the islands add territorial rights to waters. In the waters are fish for the fishing industry, but, also vantage points to spying, supposedly. If one recalls the Bush Administration annexed islands near the Hawaiian Island Chains. I suppose that was just a way for the USA to add to the tensions throughout the region. The islands added to the Hawaiian chain are really interesting biologically. It is important they are protected actually. This is the dilemma. Ah, yes.
