President Obama has nominated Mark Lippert for South Korea Ambassador post.

Mark Lippert began his career by working in various capacities for Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein (CA), Tom Daschle (South Dakota) and Patrick Leahy (Vermont). In 2005, he joined the Navy Reserve at the Suitland Naval Intelligence Command, alternating with his involvement in Barack Obama’s senatorial campaign. In September 2005, he accompanied Senator Obama to Russia for an arms reduction inspection, and to Iraq in January 2006. In August 2006, he participated in Barack Obama’s tour of Africa, which served as a cover for various CIA operations. [1] In 2007-08, he served as Intelligence Officer with the Navy SEALs in Iraq.

He joined President Obama’s cabinet as General James Jones’ Chief of Staff at the National Security Council. However, the two men fell out over the Afghanistan troop surge policy and Lippert resigned to re-enter Naval Intelligence. He took part in Operation Trident Neptune which allegedly resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. [2] He joined the Obama administration again in April 2012 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, and subsequently as Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s Chief of Staff. In October 2013, he paid a prolonged visit to South Korea on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the U.S./ROK armistice agreement.

His appointment to Seoul signals the importance the Obama administration attaches to South Korea.

[1] "L’expérience politique africaine de Barack Obama", by Thierry Meyssan, Réseau Voltaire, 9 March 2013.

[2] "Reflections on the official announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden”, by Thierry Meyssan, Voltaire Network, 8 May 2011.