UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | Chung Yeon-doo, Director General of the Diplomatic, Strategic, and Information Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Michelle Steel, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on the afternoon of the 2nd to reaffirm the joint commitment of both South Korea and the United States for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General Chung welcomed Ambassador Steel’s appointment during the meeting and emphasized the importance of diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries based on the ROK-U.S. alliance.

The two sides agreed that close communication and coordination between South Korea and the U.S. are crucial in responding to major issues, including those on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to continue communicating at all levels and to consult closely on matters of mutual interest and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Following the meeting, Ambassador Steel stated, “I met with Director General Jeong Yeon-doo of the Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence Bureau and had a productive conversation, reaffirming the shared commitment of both the Republic of Korea and the United States for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.”

This meeting was arranged as part of a series of communications with high-ranking Korean government officials since Ambassador Steel assumed her post. It is expected to serve as an opportunity for the two nations to strengthen strategic communication regarding the rapidly changing international situation and issues on the Korean Peninsula, and to further solidify cooperation at the alliance level.

Director General Jeong oversees diplomatic strategy, intelligence, and Korean Peninsula issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Steel continues to engage in consultations with the Korean government in the fields of diplomacy and security, taking steps to expand the ROK-U.S. alliance and bilateral cooperation.
Both sides plan to continue closely coordinating relevant pending issues based on the shared goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to cooperate continuously for the development of the ROK-U.S. alliance.