The Supreme Court on Wednesday confirmed the lower court rulings of 12-year imprisonment for Kim Ki-jong for attempting to murder the top US envoy to South Korea.

Kim, 56, was found guilty of attacking Ambassador Mark Lippert with a knife during a breakfast seminar in Seoul in March last year.

The ambassador suffered deep gashes on his face and arm that required over 80 stitches.

Kim was also convicted for attacking a jail guard during his incarceration.

“Based on the details, motivation, size and the knife used as the weapon, as well as the intensity and repetitiveness of the attack, the original ruling that there was an intent to murder, even if with willful negligence, is justified,” the ruling said.

Kim had said he carried out the attack in a show of protest over the bilateral military drills that were being conducted at the time. At the moment of his attack, Kim had shouted “Stop the Korea-US joint military drill.”

Kim received 12 years imprisonment in the first ruling and was assigned an additional 1 1/2 years after being convicted for attacking a prison officer.

The top court, however, upheld the lower courts’ decision on another charge raised by prosecutors that Kim also violated National Security Law. The law prevents South Korean citizens from contacting North Koreans without state approval or leading activities in support of the communist regime.

The courts have said that while Kim’s argument coincides with those made by North Korea, he cannot be seen as having engaged in anti-national activities to help the North. 

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)