South Korea’s national security adviser Wi Sung-lac has met with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel for the first time since her arrival in Seoul, according to a senior government official. The meeting took place on Sept. 4 at an undisclosed location in Seoul, the official said.
Steel also visited the Foreign Ministry that day and met with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. The talks were largely a courtesy call, but they came as Seoul and Washington face a range of security and trade issues.
Possible topics included South Korea’s push to develop nuclear-powered submarines, revisions to the U.S.-South Korea nuclear agreement and trade disputes tied to the so-called Coupang issue. Wi also reportedly conveyed congratulations from President Lee Jae Myung on Steel’s appointment.
Wi and Steel have a personal connection dating back to Steel’s time as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, when she interacted with Wi, then a diplomat. Wi had previously said he believed Steel, a conservative politician with close ties to President Trump, could play a positive role in managing the U.S.-South Korea relationship.
