Washington: The nominee for the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Michelle Steel, pledged to ensure that American companies operating in South Korea do not face discrimination, if she is confirmed by the Senate. Steel, a former Korean American congresswoman, made this commitment during her confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasizing her dedication to strengthening the alliance between Seoul and Washington to enhance U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the hearing, Steel referenced a joint fact sheet released by Seoul and Washington in November of the previous year, which outlined agreements on bilateral security, trade, and investment. This accord was reached during two summits between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Steel assured that if confirmed, she would ensure that U.S. companies in South Korea receive equal treatment, similar to the treatment Korean companies receive in the U.S. This statement was made in response to concerns raised by Sen. Bill Hagerty regarding perceived discrimination against American technology companies and e-commerce giant Coupang in South Korea.
Steel underscored her commitment to supporting U.S. firms in South Korea by advocating for equal market access. She also addressed trade barriers on U.S. agricultural products, specifically mentioning reduced tariff-rate quota volumes for U.S. soybeans. Steel pledged to engage with Seoul officials to resolve these trade issues if confirmed as ambassador.
Additionally, Steel highlighted the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, noting that the bilateral relationship has been a cornerstone of peace and security in Northeast Asia for over seven decades. She emphasized the strong defense posture maintained through the presence of U.S. Forces Korea and the extended nuclear deterrent provided by the U.S.
On the economic front, Steel described South Korea as a vital trading partner and investor in the U.S., welcoming a strategic trade investment deal in which South Korea committed to investing $350 billion in U.S. strategic industries. She recounted her family's journey from North Korea during the Korean War, their subsequent move to Japan, and her own move to the U.S. for education, reflecting on her father's view of the U.S. as a beacon of hope and prosperity.
Steel's nomination by Trump last month, if confirmed, would make her the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, succeeding former Ambassador Sung Kim. The ambassadorial post has been vacant since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left South Korea in January of the previous year.