Ambassador Steel Pays Respects at National Cemetery with U.S. Forces Korea Commander

"At the Heart of the U.S.-Korea Alliance Lies Noble Sacrifice"

Repeated Engagements with Commander Brunson Since Appointment

Michelle Steel, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, paid her respects at the Seoul National Cemetery alongside General Xavier Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, emphasizing the importance of the steadfast U.S.-Korea alliance.

On August 10, through her account on X (formerly Twitter), Ambassador Steel stated, "It was an honor to join Commander Brunson in laying a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery, paying tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of Korean War veterans." She further emphasized, "Their noble sacrifice remains at the very heart of the enduring alliance." Ambassador Steel was accompanied on her visit by her husband, attorney Shawn Steel, who has drawn attention for attending key events with her since her appointment.

Since taking office, Ambassador Steel has repeatedly met with Commander Brunson, demonstrating their shared commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Korea alliance and combined defense posture. According to the U.S. Embassy in South Korea, Ambassador Steel met again with Commander Brunson on August 5. On the following day, Steel noted on X, "I had a meaningful discussion with Commander Brunson about our shared mission to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "We will continue to work closely together to further strengthen our combined defense posture and the strong U.S.-Korea alliance."

Ambassador Steel arrived in South Korea on July 30 and submitted a copy of her credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 4, paying a courtesy visit to Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun. As she has not yet formally presented her credentials to President Lee Jaemyung, she has been engaging in a variety of activities in a personal capacity, underscoring her commitment to deepening U.S.-Korea relations. Shortly after arriving, she also released footage of her visits to Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun markets, highlighting her connection to Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.