US Ambassador Michelle Steel to Arrive in South Korea

Michelle Steel, a Korean‑American former Republican congresswoman, has been confirmed as the United States ambassador to South Korea. Nominated by former President Donald Trump and approved by the Senate, she completed the agrément process with the Korean government and will take up her post in Seoul, ending a 1½‑year vacancy.

In a video posted by the U.S. Embassy, Steel greeted the Korean public in fluent Korean, saying “안녕하세요, 여러분” (“Hello, everyone”) and expressing that she looks forward to meeting citizens in person. Born in Seoul in 1955 and immigrating to the United States in 1975, Steel previously served as an Orange County supervisor and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The embassy and South Korean officials expect her appointment to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation across security, economic, and cultural areas.