S. Korean envoy asks new US Amb. Steel to help advance alliance's 'new leap'

Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha speaks in a meeting with reporters in Washington, Feb. 24. Yonhap

WASHINGTON — South Korea's Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha called on new U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Michelle Steel to play an important role in advancing the bilateral alliance's "new leap" during a meeting last week, her office said Thursday.

Kang and Steel met on July 21 before Steel's departure for Seoul to assume the ambassadorial post. Steel arrived in Seoul on Thursday (Korea time) as the two countries face a series of joint tasks, including implementing last year's bilateral agreements on security, trade and investment.

"Ambassador Kang asked Ambassador Steel to play an important role for the alliance's new leap forward, as the two countries' relationship is developing into a jointly prosperous, future-oriented partnership by expanding cooperation beyond security to include the economy, cutting-edge technologies, shipbuilding and nuclear energy," the Korean Embassy wrote on Facebook.

Steel said that she would play her part in further advancing the alliance, according to the embassy.

Upon arrival in Korea, Steel vowed to ensure that the alliance remains the "linchpin" of regional peace and security, calling it one of the world's strongest alliances.