WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert will return to his duties as soon as he recovers, US Department of State deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told journalists.
“He [Mark Lippert] is recovering. This was a pretty serious attack, but as soon as he can he will get back to his job,” Harf said on Friday.
Following Wednesday’s attack, Lippert underwent successful surgery in Seoul and received 80 stitches.
Harf noted that US President Barack Obama and senior officials as well as the South Korean President Park Geun-hye have spoken to Lippert.
Lippert was attacked on Wednesday as he was about to deliver a speech at a Sejong Hall breakfast meeting in Seoul. The attacker slashed the ambassador’s face and left hand. The assailant has been taken into custody, and the investigation is underway.
“The Korean government is leading the investigation,” Harf stressed, adding that it is closely coordinating with the US embassy in Seoul.
The State Department spokesperson said that the attacker used a knife to slash Lippert, and no other people were reportedly injured in the attack. Since the investigation is ongoing, no other details were announced.
Mark Lippert has been US Ambassador to South Korea since October 20, 2014. Prior to assuming the ambassadorship, Lippert served as Chief of Staff to the outgoing US Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel.
