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On Apr. 1, the special investigation unit (led by Lee Sang-ho) at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office charged Kim Ki-jong, 55, with trying to kill US Ambassador Mark Lippert, 42. Kim was indicted for attempted murder, assaulting a foreign envoy, and obstruction of official business.

Kim is alleged to have stabbed Lippert four times at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on Feb. 17. The Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation (KCRC) had invited Lippert to give a lecture at the center.

Drawing upon the testimony of people present at the event and forensic doctors, the prosecutors believe that Kim had meant not only to cause Lippert harm but to kill him, leading them to charge Kim with attempted murder.

Unable to find anyone who had plotted the crime with Kim or abetted him in its execution, the prosecutors concluded that he had acted alone.

The prosecutors did not charge Kim with violating the National Security Law. While Kim had made statements sympathetic to North Korea - opposing the US-ROK joint military drills and calling for the withdrawal of the US military from South Korea - these activities had not reached the stage where they could be defined as aiding and abetting the enemy according to the National Security Law.

The prosecutors added, however, that he could still be charged under the National Security Law if evidence turns up through further investigation.

By Jung Hwan-bong, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]