MICHELLE PARK STEEL ASSUMES POST AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH KOREA

Michelle Park Steel submitted her credentials as U.S. ambassador to South Korea on Tuesday, formally assuming her post. Steel visited Seoul's foreign ministry to hand over a copy of her letters of credence to the ministry's chief of protocol, then paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Under diplomatic protocol, newly arrived ambassadors assume their posts upon submitting credentials to the foreign ministry, which precedes a formal presentation ceremony with the head of state. Steel was accompanied by her husband, Shawn Steel, and did not respond to reporters' questions upon entering the ministry building.

Steel landed in South Korea on Thursday, ending an 18-month vacancy in the ambassadorial position. She is the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to the country. Her predecessor, Philip Goldberg, served from July 2022 to January 2025. The foreign ministry said Steel and Minister Cho would discuss measures to strengthen bilateral relations. Park Doo-soon, the ministry's spokesperson, said the ambassador was expected to draw on her understanding of the South Korea-U.S. alliance to help strengthen ties between the two countries.

Steel takes office at a pivotal moment for Seoul-Washington relations. Several pending issues require attention, including South Korea's regulatory action against U.S.-listed Coupang following a data breach, Seoul's investment pledges in the United States, and South Korea's plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines.