Michelle Steel’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to South Korea cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, moving her one step closer to becoming the first former Korean American member of Congress to hold the post.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Steel’s nomination on June 4 by a vote of 14-8, leaving only a final confirmation vote by the full Senate.
Steel, 71, completed her confirmation hearing on May 20 without significant controversy and advanced through the committee with relative ease.
Her understanding of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and her experience in Congress reportedly drew favorable assessments from lawmakers in both parties, helping her nomination move forward.
With the committee process completed, Steel now awaits a final vote on the Senate floor. Because Republicans currently hold the Senate majority, her confirmation is considered likely.
If the Senate approves her nomination and President Donald Trump signs her commission, Steel would become the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following former Ambassador Sung Kim.
She would also become the second woman to hold the position and the first former member of the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
Born in Seoul, Steel moved to the United States after spending part of her childhood in Japan. Her parents were reportedly displaced people who fled North Korea during the Korean War.
During her confirmation hearing, Steel described her personal journey by reciting the Korean proverb, “After hardship comes happiness.”
She also identified strengthening the U.S.-South Korea alliance and protecting the interests of American businesses as key priorities for her potential tenure.
The U.S. ambassadorial post in Seoul has remained vacant for more than a year since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left the position in January 2025.
The vacancy is expected to end once Steel completes the Senate confirmation process and formally assumes the role.
