Attacker of US envoy denies intention to kill

Prosecutors in the Republic of Korea formally charged the man who injured US ambassador Mark Lippert in a knife attack with attempted murder on Wednesday, despite his denials of any intention to kill.

Lippert, 42, suffered deep gashes to his cheek and hand when he was assaulted by knife-wielding nationalist Kim Ki-jong at a breakfast function in central Seoul last month.

The envoy required 80 stitches to the wound on his face and two-and-a-half hours of surgery.