The Korea Herald

지나쌤

U.S. envoy to Seoul gives Korean middle name to his newborn son

By KH디지털2

Published : Jan. 22, 2015 - 11:59

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U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert said Thursday that he has given his newborn son the Korean middle name of Sejun, literally meaning "clean and excellent."

Lippert said on his Twitter account that his son who was born Monday in Seoul has been named as James William Sejun Lippert, saying that the Korean middle name was based on a concept of "saju," or the four pillars of destiny -- the year, month, day and hour of birth that are believed to decide a person's destiny or fate.

The name Sejun means wishing "to become an exceptional person as a result of leading an honest and clean life," according to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

The envoy said that James William comes from his father and his wife Robyn's grandfather's name, adding that his son can be called "JW" or Sejun.

Lippert, 42, has become the first U.S. ambassador to Seoul whose wife has given birth on Korean soil during his tenure.

Lippert arrived in Seoul on Oct. 30 with his pregnant wife and their dog named Grigsby as the youngest U.S. ambassador to South Korea. He has pledged to make efforts to deepen and broaden the Seoul-Washington alliance.

He has been actively engaged in social networking services by posting remarks and photos of his daily life. (Yonhap)