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Lippert earns plaudits for undaunted spirit
A member of a conservative civic group sheds tears praying for a speedy recovery of attacked U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Friday. Lippert was slashed on his face and left arm by an anti-U.S. activist on Thursday. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert remained undaunted despite a bloody attack by a knife-wielding xenophobic U.S. activist, earning plaudits from politicians here as well as other envoys.
Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), said Friday, “I want to applaud Lippert for the undaunted spirit and steadfast love toward Korea he has shown while undergoing a terrible incident.”
Moon’s remarks came after the ambassador was said to have comforted people following the incident in which a 25-centimeter knife was used to cause serious injuries to his face and hand Thursday.
When he entered a hospital for emergency treatment, Lippert, bleeding, told reporters, “I’m okay. I’m okay. Don’t worry.”
His resolute attitude remained unchanged after a two-and-a-half hour operation at the Severance Hospital in Sinchon, during which he received more than 80 stitches for his facial wound. He posted on his Twitter account, “(I’m) doing well and in great spirits! Robyn, Sejun, Grigsby & I were deeply moved by the support! (I) will be back ASAP to advance US-ROK alliance!”
Then the ambassador wrote a closing comment in Korean, “Let’s go together.”
“Let’s go together” has been a symbol catchphrase of the Korea-U.S. military alliance. When U.S. President Barack Obama visited Seoul in March 2012, he also told the audience the phrase both in English and Korean during a lecture he gave at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
Lippert is a close friend of President Obama.
Former U.S. ambassadors to Korea joined in praising and comforting Lippert.
Kathleen Stephens, who served in Seoul from 2008 to 2011, praised Lippert’s courage to deal with a very difficult situation, calling the incident “very shocking violence.”
“The trust between the two countries is still deep and strong, which means unnecessary feelings will not happen,” she noted.
Donald Gregg, who served while former President Roh Tae-woo was in office, said he is proud to think that Lippert showed a “courageous attitude while dealing with a very unfortunate incident” and this will strengthen the bilateral relationship.
On Thursday morning, the 55-year-old knife-wielding assailant slashed Lippert on the face and wrist at a breakfast forum in central Seoul.
Hospital officials said the ambassador will need to remain hospitalized for three to four days.
The attacker was immediately arrested. As he was hauled away, he shouted opposition to joint military exercises under way between South Korea and the U.S., something in line with North Korea's rhetoric.
During his visit to a range where the allies’ annual Key Resolve exercise is taking place, Friday, Defense Minister Han Min-koo downplayed the motivation of the attack. He said, “The joint drill is the foundation that supports the Korea-U.S. alliance.”
Military authorities of both countries noted that the drills will continue as scheduled.
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