'Keep the stache or lose the mask': US envoy to South Korea shaves off controversial moustache

Harry Harris had his moustache shaved off after it became a controversial topic. Credit: @USEmbassySeoul

Months after Harry Harris' moustache became the most controversial topic in South Korea, the US ambassador visited a traditional barbershop in Seoul to shave his facial hair.

The US envoy to South Korea, decided to part with his facial hair to keep cool in the "humid" Seoul weather while wearing a mask to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

In Tweets in English and Korean, the envoy said he was "glad he did this" and that it was either "keep the stache or lose the mask," he added Covid guidelines matter and "I'm a masked man."

Since becoming an ambassador, Harris's moustache has become the unusual subject of criticism after some Koreans noted he resembled Japanese leaders who ruled the Korea Peninsula during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945.

Harris's mother was of Japanese origin.

A US veteran, previously Mr Harris had told Korean media that after spending decades shaving his facial hair in the US Navy, he decided to grow a moustache to mark his career change.

South Korea and the United States are allies, but their relationship has been strained in recent years due to differences in their approaches to North Korea and cost-sharing responsibilities.

Harris took over the US ambassador role in 2018 after a 40-year career in the US Navy.