The US ambassador to South Korea was on Tuesday released from hospital where he was treated for a knife attack, saying the incident was “scary” but that he would not change his “open and friendly” approach to the job. Mark lippert, 42, underwent surgery to treat deep gashes to his cheek and hand after he was slashed by a knife-wielding nationalist at a breakfast function in Seoul last Thursday. Hospital officials said that after five days of treatment the he had now had all 80 stitches from his face removed and the pain in his left wrist had subsided.