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 U.S. envoy Mark Lippert said in a speech on Wednesday that if
North Korea improves its human rights record and takes steps to end
its nuclear programme, it will be rewarded with prosperity and
better ties with the outside world, including the United States.
The North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said
Lippert's remarks were proof that Washington was intent on
hostility.
"Lippert needs to drop the bad habit of rashly engaging in scheming
chatter distorting the truth and instigating war by taking issue
with us," the committee said in a commentary published on Thursday
on the Uriminzokkiri propaganda web site.
"Otherwise, next time, he could face a bigger mishap than getting
cut in the cheek by a South Korean citizen," it said.
 The North frequently rails at the United States, the South's biggest
ally, accusing it of preparing for imminent invasion.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul did not have any immediate comment.
Lippert was slashed in the face with a fruit knife by a South Korean
man with a history of erratic behaviour at a breakfast forum in
central Seoul that left a gash that required 80 stitches. He also
suffered injuries to his arm.
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"It is unbearable insult and mockery against us and a laughable and
brazen charge that cannot be overlooked," the North's agency said.
South Korean police charged Lippert's attacker with attempted
murder. He was not charged with any North Korea-related crime after
being questioned over his multiple visits.
North and South Korea are technically still at war after their
1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
North Korea previously called the attack "deserved punishment" but
denied any role in it.
(Reporting by Jack Kim and James Pearson; Editing by Tony Munroe)
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