WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump has officially nominated former U.S. Representative Michelle Park Steel to serve as the first U.S. Ambassador to South Korea under his second administration. The move is expected to end a diplomatic vacancy that has lasted for over a year.
The White House announced the nomination on its official website Monday (local time) and has formally requested confirmation from the U.S. Senate.
Michelle Park Steel, 71, is a prominent Korean-American politician with a long career in public service. Born in Seoul in 1955, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1975. Her journey into politics began following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, an event that highlighted the urgent need for Korean-American political representation.
With the support of her husband, Shawn Steel—a lawyer and former chairman of the California Republican Party—she successfully navigated the political landscape. She previously served as a member of the California State Board of Equalization and as an Orange County Supervisor.
Steel later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2021 to 2025. Although she narrowly lost her reelection bid in November 2024 by a margin of approximately 600 votes, she has remained a steadfast ally of President Trump. During the 2024 campaign, Trump voiced his strong support for her via social media, underscoring their political alignment.
If confirmed by the Senate, Steel will become the first Korean-American woman to hold the prestigious post, signaling a new chapter in the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
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