Lee meets US Ambassador Steel, says bilateral issues can be resolved through dialogue

President Lee Jae Myung met with Michelle Steel, the new US ambassador to South Korea, on Wednesday, expressing confidence that she would serve as a strong bridge in further strengthening the South Korea-US alliance. "Ambassador Steel has a deep understanding of Korean culture and society, and I expect her to play a reliable bridging role in developing the alliance," Lee said.

Cheong Wa Dae chief spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that Lee received credentials from Steel and three other newly appointed resident ambassadors at Cheong Wa Dae that morning. A credentials ceremony is the formal procedure by which a newly appointed ambassador presents the letter of credence issued by their head of state to the host country's head of state. Wednesday's ceremony was the fifth such event since the launch of the current administration.

During individual courtesy calls held after the ceremony, Steel said she was "very pleased" to be posted to South Korea and pledged to communicate broadly with the Korean government and people to promote mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Lee said in response that "the various pending issues between the two countries can be resolved smoothly through rational and proactive dialogue and cooperation," adding that the bilateral relationship would "advance to an even higher level" as a result.

Lee also asked Steel to play an active bridging role in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across multiple areas, based on close communication and deep trust, even amid rapidly shifting international conditions, according to the spokesperson.

Vanda Maria Dias Stelzer Sequeira, the new Portuguese ambassador to South Korea, noted during her courtesy call that while this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Portugal and exchanges between the two countries' citizens and businesses have grown, high-level contacts remain insufficient — leaving room for further development. She pledged to strengthen practical cooperation across various fields in her role as ambassador, Kang said.

Jamal Abdullah Mohamed bin Abdulwahab Al Suwaidi, the new UAE ambassador to South Korea, said President Lee's state visit to the UAE last November had served as a turning point for the bilateral relationship. He added that he would do his best to develop the two countries' special strategic partnership in a future-oriented direction, including by preparing for a successful return visit by UAE President Mohamed.

Sean Hoy, the new Irish ambassador to South Korea, told Lee it was "a great honor" to present his credentials and pledged to work toward expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, drawing on the two countries' strong potential for collaboration. He also expressed hope that Ireland would maintain close communication with South Korea in its capacity as a G20 guest country and as the EU's rotating presidency holder for the second half of this year.