US envoy to South Korea shaves off moustache amid colonialist row

Harry Harris visits barbershop to ease ties strained by differences over North Korea - and whether his moustache evoked the days of Japanese rule

The most controversial moustache in South Korea has fallen victim to the razor's blade, with US ambassador Harry Harris visiting a barbershop months after his facial hair became the subject of unusual criticism.

Seoul and Washington are security allies and the US stations 28,500 troops in the country but their relationship has been strained in recent years by differences in their approaches to North Korea and cost-sharing responsibilities.