US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert leaves after he was slashed in the face in central Seoul.

US ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was slashed in the face by a Korean nationalist but was not seriously hurt during an attack at a breakfast forum held in the capital on Thursday to discuss Korean reunification, police and witnesses said.

US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert leaves after he was slashed in the face in central Seoul.

Lippert, 42, was bleeding from a facial wound but was walking after the attack as he was taken to the hospital. He was later reported to be in stable condition and officials in Washington said his injuries were not life-threatening.

US President Barack Obama quickly called Lippert to wish him a speedy recovery, a White House official said.

The assailant was caught by police and identified as 55-year-old Kim Ki-jong. Witnesses and police said he used a small fruit knife in the attack.

Dtinews.vn