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S. Korean prosecutors form special team to probe into U.S. envoy attack

Xinhua, March 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korean prosecutors on Thursday formed a special team to probe into the attack against the U.S. ambassador to South Korea after police raided the home and office of the assailant, local media reported Friday.

The Seoul Central District Court formed a special team, composed of about 40 prosecutors and investigators. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which formed a team of 75 investigators Thursday, will forward the case to the prosecution team.

Kim Ki-jong, 55, head of a South Korean cultural activity group, slashed U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert on Thursday morning in his face and hand. In July 2010, Kim received a two-year suspended jail term as he threw two pieces of rock at the Japanese ambassador to Seoul.

While being arrested, Kim shouted opposition to "war exercises, " referring to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. annual war games, code- named "Key Resolve" and "Foal Eagle" that kicked off Monday.

Police sought an arrest warrant for Kim on charges of attempted murder, violence against a foreign mission and obstruction of business.

Though Kim insisted that he had no intention to kill the envoy, the police said Kim attacked Lippert several times with a 25- centimeter-long knife, which is the indication of his intentional murder.

About 25 police investigators raided Kim's home and office earlier in the morning after receiving a search warrant from the court, seizing documents and hard discs from there. The police are also analyzing his cell phone records.

The police are investigating into whether Kim violated the National Security Law, which bans South Koreans from publicly sympathizing with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

According to the police, Kim visited the DPRK seven times between 1999 and 2007, and tried to erect an altar for late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il in central Seoul in December 2011. Endi