Ambassador Lippert leaves Seoul hospital 5 days after knife attack

U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert leaves the hospital after knife attack

(Image credit: Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)

published 10 March 2015

On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert was released from Severance Hospital in Seoul, pledging to remain "open and friendly" in his interactions with South Koreans, despite being slashed in the face five days ago by a critic of America and its stance against North Korea. "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 U.S. and South Korea, Lippert said at a news conference at the hospital.

Lippert said he felt "pretty darn good, all things considered" and despite the 80 stitches to his face, and indicated he would re-examine his security detail with security officials at the embassy. According to U.S. officials, Lippert was being guarded by one unarmed Korean police officer at the breakfast lecture where he was attacked. Reuters has some video below of Lippert's press conference. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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