We begin with the horrid knife attack that has shocked the nation today.<br />U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was attacked with a knife by a South Korean national.<br />The injuries were not life-threatening, but he had to undergo surgery and is now in stable condition.<br />Here's Arirang's Hwang Sung-hee. <br />It was a bloody attack on U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert by a man opposed to the joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.<br /><br /><br />"The attack is the first of its kind on a U.S. ambassador to South Korea. It happened as Ambassador Lippert was attending a breakfast meeting here, right across the street from the U.S. embassy."<br /><br />A man, now identified as 55-year-old Kim Ki-jong, slashed Lippert with a 10-inch knife, leaving him with a deep cut on his right cheek and left hand.<br />Covered in blood, the ambassador was transferred to Yonsei Severance Hospital and is now in stable condition.<br />The suspect claims to be an advocate of a reunified Korea, shouting his opposition to the ongoing military drills between Seoul and Washington as he was being arrested.<br /><br /><br />"We are not reunited. The war exercise should be stopped."<br /><br />But he has a history of unpredictable behavior.<br />He was given a two-year prison sentence in 2010 for throwing a piece of concrete at the Japanese ambassador to South Korea.<br /><br />U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said Washington "strongly condemns" this act of violence.<br />The ambassador, who is a close friend of President Barack Obama, received a phone call from the president, wishing him the very best for a speedy recovery.<br /><br />Seoul's foreign ministry said the attack on the U.S. ambassador -- South Korea's closest ally -- is deeply regrettable.<br />It also pledged to bolster security for diplomatic missions in Seoul.<br />The ministry said the latest turn of events will not leave a dent in their strong alliance.<br /><br /><br />"Both South Korea and the United States believe the incident will not cause any harm to our alliance."<br /><br /><br />And the ambassador -- well
