Kim Ki-Jung, a 55-year-old South Korean man, was sentenced to 12 years in jail after being convicted of attempted murder on Mark Lippert, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea.

Lippert was attacked shortly before his speech, getting stabbed in the face and arms. The ambassador suffered severe injuries, resulting in 80 stitches.

Kim holds a long history of violence. In 2010, he received a two-year prison sentence for throwing pieces of concrete at a Japanese ambassador. Reports also indicate that Kim has visited North Korea several times within the past couple years. Although prosecutors attempted to link a possible connection between his visits to North Korea and the attack, it was dismissed in court.

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"We continue to appreciate the strong support of the Korean people and the Korean government following the attack on Ambassador Lippert in March," said embassy spokesman Daniel Turnbull. "This support demonstrates the deep friendship between our peoples."