Seoul: U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel met with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday, marking her first meeting with the top South Korean defense chief since she assumed her post in late July. The meeting took place at the defense ministry headquarters located in Yongsan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ambassador Steel was joined by U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson. The discussions between Steel and Ahn were expected to focus on key alliance issues, particularly Seoul's ongoing efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States.
Thursday's meeting is part of Ambassador Steel's continued diplomatic engagements in South Korea. Last month, she held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, underscoring her active role in strengthening U.S.-South Korea relations.