Lippert prepares to go back to work this week

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert is going back to work just days after being discharged from the hospital and two operations after his stabbing by leftist activist Kim Ki-jong.

“Thanks for all of the friendship & support! Means so much to the Lippert family! Back to work later next week!” read his Twitter posting on Saturday, adding “Thank you” at the end in Korean. The 42-year-old ambassador also put up two photos in which he posed with his family and basset hound Grigsby in front of flowers and messages from Koreans.

Lippert was stabbed in the face and hand on March 5.

Lippert also went for a walk with Grigsby Saturday afternoon around the Blue House with police escorts. He greeted passersby and also thanked the police officers guarding him.

Lippert attended a dinner party for the United States Forces Korea on Friday at the Westin Chosun Hotel in central Seoul, the first official event after being discharged from the hospital on March 10.

BY KIM BONG-MOON [kim.bongmoon@joongang.co.kr]