1. On March 9, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se visited US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert, who is hospitalized at Severance Hospital, to offer consolation over the attack on him that occurred on March 5. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the ROK-US alliance despite the incident.

2. Minister Yun once again expressed regret over the unfortunate incident, adding that the judicial authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to find the motive and those behind the crime. He went on to say that the ROK government is making utmost efforts to prevent such an incident from recurring, including tightening security for foreign diplomats to the ROK.

3. Minister Yun pointed out that many Koreans were moved by Ambassador Lippert’s positive and brave response to the unexpected incident. He commented that in that light, the incident served as an opportunity to reaffirm the ROK nationals’ support for the ROK-US alliance and to further strengthen it. He proposed that the governments of the two countries work together to steadfastly advance the alliance.

4. Ambassador Lippert agreed to the remarks by Minister Yun, saying that the thing of paramount importance is for the governments of the two countries to take the opportunity to come closer together and make their alliance even stronger. He expressed hope to return to his duties as soon as possible to work toward it.

5. In addition, Ambassador Lippert mentioned that he was deeply moved and touched by the visits to him by President Park Geun-hye and Minister Yun as well as unchanging support from Korean people. He added that such support appears to have positive impact on his faster-than-expected recovery.

* The Ambassador called his time at the hospital a good opportunity to enjoy kimchi and other aspects of Korean culture and spoke highly of the ROK’s advanced medical technology and nursing capacity.

6. Minister Yun offered the Ambassador a replica of the Geobukseon (turtle ship), the symbol of the spirit of invincibility of Great Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Joseon Dynasty, as a token of “invincible Mark and the invincible alliance.” Ambassador Lippert, calling it a fabulous present, extended appreciation to the ROK government for its thoughtfulness.

* The replica is inscribed with the sentence, “No sea of hardship can thwart the Captain’s determination to sail,” conveying the commitment to make the ROK-US alliance strong enough to overcome all difficulties. 


                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation