A Seoul court on Friday handed a 12-year prison sentence to a South Korean man who slashed and seriously injured the USA ambassador during a March forum.

“We continue to appreciate the strong support of the Korean people and the Korean government following the attack on Ambassador Lippert in March“, said Daniel Turnbull, a USA spokesman.

Shortly before Lippert was supposed to give a speech, Kim slashed him in the face and jaw.

Trump has drawn attention from South Korean media for his repeated criticism of the Asian ally for relying on the USA for its defense without giving the US anything in return while making a lot of money.

While there was no irreversible nerve damage to his face, a separate cut to his left hand had damaged the nerves of his little finger and he required 80 stitches.

The operation of a railway line linking Seoul and Sinuiju, a border city in what is now North Korea, is stopped amid deepening enmity between the rival political forces that controlled the southern and northern parts of the Korean Peninsula.

In passing judgment, the Seoul Central District Court noted Kim had “shown no repentance, attempting to justify his actions throughout the trial”.

Lippert underwent two-and-a-half hours of surgery after the attack.

Prosecutors say that Kim assaulted Lippert after a North Korea declare that the annual South Korea-United States joint army train was preparation to assault the nation, based on Yonhap.

During the attack, Kim yelled “No war!”

However, despite the pieces of evidence found in Kim’s home which reveal that the protester supports North Korea’s strategy, Kim was acquitted of violating South Korea’s law that prohibits people from praising the North.

Kim Ki-jong had been charged with slashing Lippert with a knife on March 5 at a breakfast.

Some foreign analysts remain skeptical about inter-Korean ties because of speculation that North Korea will fire what it calls a satellite to celebrate next month’s 70th birthday of its ruling party.

Lippert, 42, became ambassador a year ago and has been mostly popular during his time in Seoul.