Key facts
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun anticipates new U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel will be instrumental in resolving bilateral issues.
- Cho believes Steel's direct line to Washington will facilitate the resolution of difficult matters.
- Steel arrived in South Korea on Thursday, filling a post vacant since January 2025.
- Cho is expected to meet Steel on Tuesday.
- Key issues between South Korea and the U.S. include investment pledges and regulatory disputes.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated Monday that he anticipates the new U.S. Ambassador to Seoul, Michelle Steel, will play a significant role in resolving outstanding bilateral issues between the two nations. Cho highlighted Steel's expected direct access to Washington as a key factor that could help address difficult matters in South Korea-U.S. relations.
Steel arrived in South Korea on Thursday to take up her position, which had been vacant since January of the previous year. Cho is slated to meet with Steel in person on Tuesday when she formally submits a copy of her credentials to the foreign ministry. The ambassador's arrival coincides with a period where Seoul and Washington are navigating several pending security and economic challenges. These include South Korean investment commitments in the U.S. and ongoing tensions related to Seoul's regulatory actions against U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang Inc. following a significant data breach.