0
AsiaToday reporter Park Seong-il = Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel arrives at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 4th, for a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 4th to pay a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and submit a copy of her credentials, formally beginning her official activities as ambassador. New ambassadors can begin official duties once they submit a copy of their credentials to the Foreign Ministry ahead of the formal presentation of credentials to the president. Ambassador Steel's formal credentialing ceremony with President Lee Jae-myung is expected to take place soon.

Steel visited the Foreign Ministry that day with her spouse, attorney Shawn Steel, to pay the courtesy call on Minister Cho and exchange views on ways to advance the Korea-U.S. relationship. Minister Cho expressed hope for Ambassador Steel's role in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering friendship between the two countries' peoples.

Newly appointed Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said at a regular briefing at the ministry that day, "Ambassador Steel has extensive understanding and insight into the Korea-U.S. alliance and bilateral relations, and we hope this will help strengthen ties between our countries." A Foreign Ministry official told reporters that the meeting between Minister Cho and Ambassador Steel was an introductory courtesy visit marking her arrival, serving more as an opportunity to broaden mutual understanding of the overall direction of the relationship than to discuss specific pending issues.

Ambassador Steel drew attention by bringing her spouse along to the courtesy call. Her husband, attorney Shawn Steel, is seen as someone with a broad network within and around the Trump administration, raising expectations that he could play a role in helping resolve pending bilateral issues such as Korean investment in the U.S., the Coupang matter, and Korea-U.S. security consultations. A Foreign Ministry official said it is unusual for a new ambassador to bring a spouse along to such a visit, adding that Shawn Steel is a prominent American political figure who has served as chairman of the California Republican Party, and that this could bode well for the relationship going forward. The official added that a spouse's role often makes up a significant part of an ambassador's diplomatic work, and that since the purpose of an ambassador's posting is to foster goodwill and strengthen the foundation for cooperation, there is ample room for a spouse to support such activities.

Earlier, after arriving in Seoul on the 30th of last month, Ambassador Steel made a series of friendly, hands-on visits to places like Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun Market. She visited the market with her spouse, purchased pet supplies, and posed for photos with vendors while holding hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes).

Announcing her visit to Namdaemun Market on social media on the 1st, Ambassador Steel said she felt excited to rediscover a Seoul that felt both familiar and new. She added that revisiting Namdaemun Market after a long time brought back old memories, and that while much has changed, the warmth, energy, and charming atmosphere remain just as she remembered.

                                                                                                          Mok Yong-jae