US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert kept his upbeat tone in the hours after a shocking knife attack on him by a leftist activist during an event in Seoul on Thursday.

Lippert posted on his Twitter account after undergoing surgery that he was “doing well and in good spirits” and that he was “deeply moved by the support” he received from his acquaintances here. “Will be back ASAP to advance US-ROK (South Korea) alliance!” he further wrote.

Even considering his position as an envoy to a key ally of his country, it would never be easy to send such a positive message soon after receiving 80 stitches on his face. This shows the depth of his commitment to enhancing the ties between South Korea and the US.

The attack on Lippert took place at a time when Seoul and Washington seemed in discord over some issues. US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman came under fire here for her recent remarks that were interpreted by South Korean media as taking sides with Japan in rows over the history between the two countries. The US also appeared displeased with South Korea’s hesitance to deploy an advanced missile defense system out of concern over China’s negative response.

The 55-year-old South Korean assailant may have misjudged his act would widen the rift between the two allies. He shouted slogans against the ongoing Seoul-Washington joint military drills after he was overpowered on the spot. A bloody attack on an envoy was the worst way of advocating peace.

It was also absurd for North Korea to hail his assault on Lippert as “deserved punishment”. The North may be the only state in the world that praises terror on a diplomat whose safety should be guaranteed in any circumstance under an international convention.

The attack on Lippert may serve as an occasion to further deepen the alliance between South Korea and the US if the two sides wisely cope with its aftermath. Lippert concluded his Twitter message with two Korean words meaning “go together”. We hope and believe when he is back to work, the youngest-ever US ambassador here will be more determined to carry out his mission to cement the ties between the two countries.

By arrangement with The Korea Herald-Asia News Network

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

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