President hopes new US envoy will strengthen Seoul-Washington alliance

President Lee Jae Myung poses with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel, left, and her husband, attorney Shawn Steel, during a credentials presentation ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

President Lee Jae Myung expressed his hope that U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel will serve as a “strong bridge” and further strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.

The announcement came after Lee received Steel’s credentials and held a separate meeting with the Korean-born American diplomat.

Steel was among four newly appointed foreign envoys who attended the credentials presentation ceremony.

“U.S. Ambassador Steel said she was delighted to take up her post in South Korea and pledged to engage extensively with the Korean government and people to promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

Lee responded that he expected Steel’s deep understanding of Korean culture and society to help both countries deepen the bilateral alliance, according to Kang.

The spokesperson went on to quote Lee as saying that “outstanding issues between the two countries could be resolved smoothly through reasonable and active dialogue and cooperation.”

The meeting came amid speculation that Steel, known for her strongly conservative views, could find herself at odds with the policy direction of Lee’s progressive administration during her tenure.

The ceremony served as their first formal introduction, during which Lee and Steel exchanged greetings and did not discuss sensitive diplomatic issues.

Her husband, attorney Shawn Steel, accompanied her to the ceremony.

Steel, who arrived in Korea on July 30, has carried out an active public outreach, visiting Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun Market in central Seoul shortly after her arrival.

As a Korean American politician, she has emphasized her personal connection to Korea and sought to build closer ties with Korean society through what has been described as a form of “soft diplomacy.”

Steel was born in Seoul in 1955 to parents who fled North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War and settled in South Korea. She spent her middle and high school years in Japan before moving to the U.S. with her family in 1975.

She later held several elected positions, including as vice chair of the California State Board of Equalization, before serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for four years, from 2021 to 2025, as a Republican.

Steel is the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following Sung Kim, who held the post during the Barack Obama administration. She is the first Korean American woman to assume the position.

Before meeting Lee, Steel held talks with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac on Aug. 4 to discuss key issues between Seoul and Washington.

Steel faces a challenging diplomatic agenda, with tension between the allies over trade issues, including the Korean government's investigation of e-commerce giant Coupang over a massive data breach.

The countries also need to hold follow-up negotiations for trade and investment agreements reached during last year’s Korea-U.S. summit, including Seoul’s request to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and secure uranium enrichment rights.

Vanda Maria Dias Stelzer Sequeira of Portugal, Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi of the United Arab Emirates and Sean Hoy of Ireland, also presented their credentials to Lee as newly appointed ambassadors.