Lippert to return to business this week

By Kang Seung-woo

U.S Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert is seen walking his basset hound, Grigsby, escorted by police near Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Monday. Lippert reportedly exchanged greetings with citizens around him. / Yonhap

Mark Lippert, Washington’s ambassador to Seoul, is set to soon get back to work.

The American envoy, recovering after the March 5 slash on his face and wrist by a knife-wielding pro-North Korea activist at a forum, said that he would be back on the job later this week.

“Thanks for all of the friendship and support! Means so much to the Lippert family! Back to work later next week,” he said on his Twitter account Saturday.

Although he has yet to conduct official business since he left a hospital on March 10, the ambassador made his first public outing Friday by attending a dinner party for U.S. Forces Korea, hosted by a local research foundation.

The Ohio native was also seen taking a walk around Cheong Wa Dae on Saturday during which he was greeted by Koreans.

Since his arrival in Seoul in October, Lippert has drawn attention for his unique public diplomacy, interacting with people on the street.

However, in the wake of the attack, there has been speculation that he may no longer be that accessible to the public.

But Lippert apparently has no plans to give up some of his habits, which prompted positive responses on- and offline.

“Not at all,” the ambassador said when asked if he had any hesitation about going out in public, during an interview with NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday.

“I feel very safe here in Seoul. When I walk the dog or go out with my wife, I pass literally dozens of police officers. The streets are safe, so I have no hesitation going forward to re-engage and continue my conversations and interactions with the people of Korea.”

The suspected attacker, Kim Ki-jong, faces charges of attempted murder, violence against a foreign envoy and business obstruction, according to police Friday.

In addition, they are also investigating to find if there were any accomplices in the assault, although Kim claims he acted alone.