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U.S. ambassador nomination raises hopes for progress

Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 00:00

Former U.S. Rep. Michelle Park Steel, a Korean American politician who was nominated on April 13 by U.S. President Donald Trump as the first U.S. ambassador to Korea in his second administration, speaks with Korean correspondents at Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2016. [YONHAP]

Michelle Park Steel, a former U.S. representative, was nominated on Monday as the first U.S. ambassador to South Korea under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration. The post had been vacant for 15 months since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg, appointed under the Joe Biden administration, departed in January last year.

Steel, a Republican, was elected in 2020 in California’s Orange County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, but narrowly lost her re-election bid in 2024. She becomes the second Korean American nominated to the role after Sung Kim. Although the appointment comes later than those for Japan and China, it is still a welcome step.

Steel received Trump’s endorsement ahead of the 2024 election and has strong ties to congressional leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who supported her nomination. As a former politician rather than a career diplomat, she is expected to bring direct communication channels with both the administration and Congress, which could prove advantageous in navigating bilateral issues.`

During the early months of Trump’s second term, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul operated under a chargé d’affaires system, limiting its effectiveness as a key communication channel. South Korea and the United States have already held two summits and released a joint fact sheet outlining trade and security cooperation, but progress in implementing those agreements has been slower than expected.

Washington has expressed concerns that South Korea may be hesitant on U.S.-bound investment projects and the removal of nontariff barriers. Seoul, meanwhile, has shown impatience over the lack of visible progress on security issues such as nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment.

Bilateral challenges have grown more complex following the outbreak of war in Iran in February, raising new issues such as potential redeployment of U.S. Forces Korea and requests for South Korean participation in securing the Strait of Hormuz. The possibility of renewed summit diplomacy between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also remains.

These developments underscore the need for close coordination between the two governments, making the ambassador’s role more critical than ever. Given that it took about five months for Goldberg to assume his post after nomination, Steel’s arrival may also take several months. Swift confirmation by Congress would help ensure timely engagement.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.