Ambassador Mark Lippert: ‘I Feel Pretty Darn Good’

Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images(SEOUL, South Korea) — U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert on Tuesday said he and his family were “doing well” after he was slashed in the face, arm and hand by a Korean nationalist last week.

Speaking at a press conference marking his discharge from the hospital, Lippert thanked doctors, the people of the U.S. and South Korea and many others for the outpouring of support and care they provided.

“I feel pretty darn good, all things considered,” he said, calling the knife attack a “pretty scary incident.”

“I am walking, talking, holding my baby, hugging my wife. I just feel really good. I’ve got a little rehab left to do on the arm, the face feels really good,” the ambassador added.

Lippert would not comment on his security arrangements at the time of the attack — “as a general rule, you do not discuss, you know, our security tactics, procedures in a public forum” — but he did say, “we’re going to take a hard look at our tactics and procedures.”

It remains unclear how the man, with a known criminal background, was able to access the event.

Lippert said he would return to work “as soon as possible” — “at least in a lighter schedule,” and said the attack only strengthens the bond between the U.S. and South Korea.

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