President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with Michelle Steel, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, for the first time on Wednesday.
The White House has announced that President Lee will host a credentialing ceremony on the morning of that day for Ambassador Steel and ambassadors from four other nations, including Portugal, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ireland.
As this marks their initial encounter, President Lee is expected to exchange congratulatory remarks and words of encouragement, along with a brief discussion on U.S.-South Korea matters. However, given that the event includes ambassadors from four different countries, the likelihood of in-depth discussions on current issues is considered low.
National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac recently held an introductory meeting with Ambassador Steel, who assumed her position at the end of last month. It is believed that discussions on various bilateral issues, such as South Korean investments in the U.S., the Coupang situation, and nuclear-powered submarines, likely took place during Wi’s meeting with her.
Wi, a seasoned diplomat, is reported to have maintained connections with Ambassador Steel, who previously served as an advisor on Asia-Pacific affairs at the White House during the Bush administration and has also been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Later in the day, President Lee is scheduled to participate in the Future Growth Engine 7 SEED Report meeting, which aims to discuss the development of advanced future industries.