Key facts
- South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook met with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
- The two officials discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation and strengthen the alliance.
- Han expressed hope for greater outcomes in advanced industries including shipbuilding, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
- Steel pledged to enhance cooperation in security and investment to build a stronger alliance.
SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook met with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel on Wednesday to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors and further strengthen the bilateral alliance. During the meeting, Han said the two countries have expanded their partnership beyond security into areas such as the economy and culture, building on their longstanding alliance. She asked Steel to play an active role in further advancing bilateral ties during her tenure. Han also expressed hope that Seoul and Washington would expand economic cooperation and mutual investment, and achieve "greater outcomes" in advanced industries, including shipbuilding, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. In response, Steel pledged efforts to build a "stronger" alliance by enhancing cooperation in various areas, including security and investment, stressing that the alliance was "blood-forged," according to Han's office. Steel, who was born in Seoul, also highlighted South Korea's remarkable economic growth and growing global cultural influence compared with when she left the country decades ago.