SEOUL - South Korean police said on Friday they were investigating possible links between a knife attack on the U.S. ambassador to Seoul and the assailant's frequent visits to North Korea in the past.
The head of the police team probing the attack also said they plan to seek a formal detention warrant on Friday against the Korean nationalist who slashed Ambassador Mark Lippert at a forum discussing Korean reunification on Thursday.
Police said the attacker, Kim Ki-jong, made seven visits to North Korea between 1999 and 2007.
Lippert needed 80 stitches to close a gash in his face. He is recovering in a Seoul hospital and has said he is in "good spirits."
Doctors at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital said on Friday Lippert was likely to remain there until early next week, when they plan to remove his stitches.
Lippert underwent surgery on Thursday for a 4-inch gash on the right side of his face and a puncture wound on his left wrist that caused nerve damage, which was repaired.