▲ President Lee Jae-myung poses for a commemorative photo with U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel during the presentation of credentials ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors at the Blue House on the 12th.
President Lee Jae-myung had his first meeting with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel and expressed his welcome.
This morning (the 12th), President Lee received credentials from newly appointed ambassadors to South Korea from four countries, including the United States, at the Blue House.
After receiving her credentials from Ambassador Michelle Steel, President Lee said, "Welcome," and posed for a commemorative photo together.
He also greeted Ambassador Steel's accompanying husband, attorney Shawn Steel, by saying, "Welcome," and took commemorative photos with them.
The presentation of credentials is an event where a newly appointed ambassador delivers the credentials received from their head of state to the head of state of the host country.
This marks the fifth time a presentation of credentials ceremony has been held since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
During the subsequent conversation, Ambassador Steel said, "I am very glad to be posted to Korea," adding, "I will strive to communicate broadly with the South Korean government and people to promote mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between South Korea and the United States," according to Blue House Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung through a written briefing.
In response, President Lee replied, "I expect that Ambassador Steel, who has a deep understanding of Korean culture and society, will play a solid bridging role in further and firmly developing the ROK-U.S. alliance."
He also added, "Various pending issues between the two countries can be smoothly resolved through a process of rational and active dialogue and cooperation," and "Through this, bilateral relations will be further elevated."
In addition to Ambassador Steel, President Lee also received credentials from and held conversations with Portuguese Ambassador to South Korea Vanda Maria Dias Stelzer Sequeira, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to South Korea Jamal Al Suwaidi, and Irish Ambassador to South Korea Sean Hoy.
In his individual talks, President Lee asked the ambassadors to play active bridging roles to deepen multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation based on deep trust amid rapidly changing international circumstances.
Portuguese Ambassador Sequeira said, "Although exchanges between the peoples and businesses of the two countries have become active, there is still room for development, such as a lack of high-level exchanges," adding, "As ambassador, I will strengthen practical cooperation in various fields."
UAE Ambassador Al Suwaidi stated that he would do his utmost to forward-looking develop the special strategic partnership between the two countries by preparing for a successful return visit by the UAE president, following President Lee's state visit to the UAE last November.
Irish Ambassador Hoy similarly expressed hope that Ireland, as a guest country of the Group of 20 (G20) and the EU's rotating presidency for the second half of this year, would maintain close communication with South Korea.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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