“It is critical the U.S. hold Vietnamese officials accountable for their human rights violations and show we stand with the Vietnamese people fighting for freedom and democracy.”

American politician and diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

Michelle Eunjoo Steel is an American politician and diplomat who serves as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. She was nominated for the post on April 13, 2026, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 17, 2026, by a 55 to 39 vote. Her public career has centered on politics and diplomacy. The available facts place her in a high-profile foreign policy role representing the United States in South Korea.