United States Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert received treatment on his face and arm at Severance Hospital following the shocking knife attack on him March 5 by a radical activist. Ambassador Lippert publicly thanked the Severance staff, expressing his satisfaction with the treatment he received. He was released from Severance after a five-day stay.
Ambassador Lippert is not the only high-profile dignitary in recent years to receive treatment at Severance due to stab wounds. In 2006, current Korean President Park Geun-hye was treated at Severance after being slashed by a razor blade during an election campaign. In an unfortunate coincidence, the size and location of the wound on Ambassador Lippert’s face is almost identical to that suffered by President Park. Fortunately, both received world-class care at Severance, and both were able to return to their normal lives after being discharged. Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young noted: “Severance Hospital, which developed from Jejungwon, has a strong track record for treating victims of stab wounds. This was clearly demonstrated when President Park Geun-hye was similarly attacked.” Jejungwon, the first Western medical institution in Korea, was established by Emperor Gojong in 1885 out of gratitude for the care provided by the American missionary Dr. Horace Allen to Min Young-ik, the nephew of Empress Myeongseong. Min Young-ik was stabbed during the Gaspin Coup of 1884, and Dr. Allen, originally from Ohio, was able to see that he made a full recovery. Jejungwon was officially renamed Severance Hospital in 1904 in recognition of the generous financial donations made by Louis Severance, the famous Ohio oilman and philanthropist.
Ambassador Lippert was attacked at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts as he was attending a breakfast forum. He was rushed to nearby Gangbuk Samsung Hospital for emergency treatment, before being transferred to Severance for surgery. The ambassador received more than eighty stitches on his face, while doctors performed surgery to repair nerve damage in his left arm. The principal doctors for the surgery were Professor Lew Dae-hyun (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) and Professor Choi Yun-rak (Orthopedic Surgery).
The attack received worldwide press coverage, as it marked an act of terror against a high-ranking American diplomat. At the same time, the domestic press speculated on its potential consequences for U.S.-Korean relations. While recovering at Severance, Ambassador Lippert was visited by a number of government officials, including Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo, Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, Saenuri Party Chairman, Representative Kim Moo-sung, New Politics Alliance for Democracy Chairman, Representative Moon Jae-in, and former Prime Minister Han Seung-su. Yonsei President Jeong and Dr. Jung Nam-shik, head of the Yonsei University Health System (YUHS), were on hand to welcome the dignitaries. Immediately after her return from an official four-nation tour of the Middle East, President Park Geun-hye paid a visit to Ambassador Lippert. During her talk with him, President Park reflected on her own hospitalization in 2006, praising the high quality of care she received at Severance. President Park also chatted with the medical team, as well as President Jeong and Dr. Jung, thanking them for taking such good care of the ambassador.
Ambassador Lippert is not a stranger to Severance, as it was here in January that his wife gave birth to their son, to whom they gave the Korean middle name Sejun. Severance is designated as the primary health care center by the United States Embassy for its workers. In the past, a number of high-profile politicians have received medical care at Severance, including Henry Kissinger, the former American Secretary of State, who was treated for stomach discomfort during a visit in 2010. Former President Kim Dae-jung was a patient at Severance in the same room as Ambassador Lippert. During his stay, President Kim received treatment from Dr. Jung and Dr. Lee Byung-seok, Dean of the College of Medicine.