Razor-wielding man attacks US ambassador in South Korea

The US ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, has been injured in an attack by a razor-wielding assailant in Seoul.

The YTN news channel, citing police sources, said a man with a razor blade concealed in his right hand had attacked Lippert as he was attending a breakfast function in the city's centre.

Images showed the bleeding ambassador holding his right hand to his right cheek, with his left hand smeared with blood.

Lippert, 42, was taken to hospital, but his injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.

The assailant, who was immediately taken into custody, reportedly shouted an anti-war slogan as he lashed out at the envoy, who only took up his post in Seoul last October.

The United States and South Korea launched annual joint military exercises this week, triggering a surge in tensions with North korea.