US Ambassador to South Korea assaulted in Seoul: US

Following the incident, Mark Lippert, 42, was rushed to a nearby hospital

US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was assaulted in Seoul this morning while giving a speech, the State Department has said.

"We can confirm that US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert was assaulted Thursday morning in Seoul while giving a speech. We strongly condemn this act of violence," State Department deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said.

Following the incident, Lippert, 42, was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Lippert was slashed on the face and wrist by a man wielding a knife with a 10-inch blade and screaming that the rival Koreas should be unified, South Korean police said.

"The Ambassador is being treated at a local hospital. His injuries are not life threatening. Embassy Seoul is coordinating with local law enforcement authorities," Harf said.

The United States and South Korea have recently launched annual joint military exercises.