By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
Police in South Korea announced beefed up security measures for foreign diplomats Wednesday in the wake of a knife attack on the U.S. ambassador, local media reported.
According to new guidelines, foreign envoys will be provided with a security detail even if they do not request it.
Mark Lippert was attacked Thursday last week during a breakfast meeting in Seoul. He suffered wounds to his face and wrist, receiving more than 80 stitches.
Suspect Kim Ki-Jong was protesting against U.S.-South Korean military drills and was arrested at the scene. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder.
The attack highlighted the ambassador's lack of protection -- Lippert had not been afforded a police guard because none had been requested.
"We will expand our guard and security services from protecting the buildings of diplomatic missions to also protecting foreign envoys," National Police Agency Commissioner Kang Sin-myeong told a meeting of government and ruling party officials, Yonhap news agency reported.
"We will actively deploy security forces not only at the request of diplomats but also without a request if there appears to be a safety risk."
Lawmaker Cho Won-jin later told reporters that around eight countries had asked for a police escort for their ambassadors.
Lippert and his wife Robyn are being protected around the clock, while guards are also closely watching the Japanese ambassador to South Korea amid ongoing tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.
On Wednesday, British Ambassador Charles Hay described the attack as "shocking" and "very unexpected."
South Korea prides itself on its low crime rate and Hay, who took up his post last month, told reporters he had found Seoul to be "probably one of the safest places in the world."
