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Trump Nominates Former Rep. Michelle Park Steel as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea
Steel would become the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:52am
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The nomination of a Korean American as U.S. ambassador to South Korea aims to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two allies.Orange TodayU.S. President Donald Trump has nominated former Korean American congresswoman Michelle Steel as the United States' top envoy to South Korea, a presidential nomination document showed. If confirmed by the Senate, Steel would become the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following former Ambassador Sung Kim.
Why it matters
The nomination comes as Seoul and Washington face a series of joint tasks, including 'modernizing' the bilateral alliance, addressing trade and investment issues, and cooperating on regional and global challenges, including North Korean threats and the Middle East conflict. Steel's appointment could help enhance communication between the two allies following more than a yearlong vacancy in the ambassadorial post.
The details
Steel, a former two-term Republican lawmaker from California, has reportedly gained strong support from former and current Republican grandees, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson. During her time in Congress, she was active in pushing for legislation to address the issue of Korean Americans separated from their relatives in North Korea. She previously served as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California State Board of Equalization.
- Trump nominated Steel as U.S. ambassador to South Korea on April 13, 2026.
- The ambassadorial post has been vacant since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left South Korea in January 2025.
The players
Michelle Park Steel
A former two-term Republican congresswoman from California who has been nominated by President Trump as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who nominated Michelle Park Steel as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
Philip Goldberg
The former U.S. ambassador to South Korea who left the post in January 2025.
Joseph Yun
The former special representative for North Korea policy who served as acting ambassador after Goldberg left.
Kevin Kim
The former deputy assistant secretary at the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs who served as acting ambassador after Yun.
What they’re saying
“In a social media post ahead of the 2024 vote, Trump gave Steel his 'complete and total' endorsement, casting her as one of the 'strongest congresswomen' in the country and an 'America First Patriot whose family bravely fled Communism.'”
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
What’s next
If confirmed by the Senate, Steel is expected to help enhance communication between the U.S. and South Korea following the more than yearlong vacancy in the ambassadorial post.
The takeaway
Steel's nomination as U.S. ambassador to South Korea comes at a critical time for the U.S.-South Korea alliance, as the two countries face joint challenges ranging from trade to regional security. Her experience as a Korean American congresswoman could help bridge communication between the allies.
