[Anchor]

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel has publicly addressed the unstable situation between South Korea and the United States. She stated that South Korea-U.S. relations are currently experiencing "turbulence." She also directly cited China as the greatest threat in the Indo-Pacific region.

Kim Ayeong reports.

[Reporter]

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel and General Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea, attended a special luncheon meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

Ambassador Steel said South Korea's economy has grown significantly and is no longer a country that the United States must protect, using an analogy to describe the current South Korea-U.S. relationship.

[Michelle Steel / U.S. Ambassador to South Korea: "This could be described as a kind of 'turbulence' we are currently experiencing between South Korea and the United States."]

She used the term "turbulence" seemingly alluding to the unstable situation the two nations have recently been experiencing, which is also interpreted as a demand for South Korea to now take on a greater role and responsibility in their alliance of more than 70 years.

While she did not mention "Coupang" directly, she stated that American companies must not face discrimination in South Korea, also revealing her view that the South Korean government's digital regulations are becoming an obstacle.

[Michelle Steel / U.S. Ambassador to South Korea: "There were really big barriers. There were search and seizure operations, audits, and measures imposing fines."]

Regarding China, she made direct remarks aimed at keeping it in check.

[Michelle Steel / U.S. Ambassador to South Korea: "China is the biggest threat in the Indo-Pacific region. You can see how much China is trying to expand its influence."]

Regarding the prospects of dialogue between North Korea and the U.S., she reiterated that the U.S. government has always maintained that it is open to dialogue, but answered that North Korea has not responded, adding that she does not know whether real talks will take place.

General Brunson pointed out that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is evolving to a dangerous level, with continuous "gray-zone activities" testing regional stability.

Video by Kim Heung-ki | Video Editing by Jung Sung-hoon