U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was slashed in the face today during a breakfast lecture by a Korean man. What is significant about this attack is the symbolism of the attack, as well as the words which the assailant said during and after being apprehended. According to the article, "YTN TV reported that the attacker shouted, 'South and North Korea should be reunified' as he lunged towards the Ambassador." In addition this, after his apprehension he was heard speaking of anti-war slogans.
Why does this matter though? America coupled with South Korea remains in war with North Korea still to this day over 50 years following the armistice agreement of 1953. North Korea is a authoritative nationalistic nation-state, and more frequently now more than ever has seen its people escape from the country into China and then seek refuge in South Korea. Despite being two nations at war, they are closely tied together and it really shouldn't be a surprise that both sides (especially the actual people of North Korea) would want the "war" to end.
On top of this, South Korea and the United States have been participating in defensive military drills as they have over the decades. North Korea has repeatedly seen this as aggressive in nature and usually retaliates with its own drills, or militarist rhetoric. With this then begs the question. Who does this attacker represent? Is this sentiment popular within both Korea's, or does it lean more with one side than the other?
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Armistice_Agreement
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/03/04/us-ambassador-south-korea-attacked/24398911/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret-state-of-north-korea/
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