Michelle Steel confirmed as U.S. ambassador to South Korea

The U.S. Senate voted 55‑39 to confirm former Korean‑American congresswoman Michelle Steel as the United States’ ambassador to South Korea. President Donald Trump nominated Steel to fill the post that has been vacant since Ambassador Philip Goldberg left in January. Steel becomes the second Korean‑American to hold the position, following Sung Kim (2011‑2014).

During her confirmation hearing Steel pledged to protect American businesses operating in South Korea from discrimination and highlighted her prior congressional work on legislation for Korean Americans separated from relatives in North Korea. Her political résumé includes two terms in the U.S. House, service on the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California State Board of Equalization. Born in Seoul in 1955, she grew up in South Korea, Japan and the United States, speaks fluent Korean, and holds degrees from Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California.