Leaving Hospital, U.S. Envoy Vows to Stay ‘Open and Friendly’ in South Korea
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Version 0 of 1. SEOUL, South Korea — The American ambassador to South Korea, Mark W. Lippert, said on Tuesday that he would continue to be “open and friendly” in his dealings with people here, as he was released from a Seoul hospital five days after a knife attack that raised concerns about his security. “The bottom line is that this incident has only strengthened our love and affection for this country and our belief in the unbreakable bond” between the United States and South Korea, Mr. Lippert said at a news conference at the Severance Hospital of Yonsei University, where he had been treated since the attack on Thursday. Mr. Lippert was referring to the outpouring of good wishes he had received from South Koreans. Mr. Lippert was attacked at a breakfast meeting by a professed nationalist, Kim Ki-jong, who slashed his face and arm with a kitchen knife. Mr. Kim, who faces charges including attempted murder, said he was protesting joint American-South Korean military exercises. At the time of the attack, Mr. Lippert’s security had consisted of a single, unarmed South Korean police officer, according to an American official. Mr. Lippert said on Tuesday that his embassy would take a hard look at what additional security measures he might need but that he would continue to interact with South Koreans and try to maintain his reputation for being “an ordinary neighborhood guy.” Mr. Lippert said he felt “pretty darn good” and hoped to return to work soon, though he said he would still need to undergo rehabilitation for the injuries to his arm. |