Steel says Sejong the Great's leadership came to mind as she visits Youngnak Presbyterian Church, Namdaemun and other sites in 'diplomatic outreach'

[Financial News] Michelle Park Steel, the United States Ambassador to South Korea, has been carrying out a series of 'diplomatic outreach' activities across Seoul, including Gwanghwamun, Namdaemun and areas near Myeong-dong, since arriving in Korea on the 30th of last month. She is the first Korean American woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea and is a second-generation displaced person.
According to diplomatic sources on the 1st, Ambassador Steel has been actively engaging with Koreans since taking up her post, posting photos of her visits to Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun directly on X. At Namdaemun, she also showed a down-to-earth side by sharing a photo taken with her husband, attorney Shawn Steel. Known as a devout Christian, she also visited Youngnak Presbyterian Church, where her displaced parents once worshipped, and prayed there.
Through X, Steel wrote in both Korean and English, "As I passed by the Statue of Sejong the Great, I was once again reminded of Korea's remarkable legacy of innovation and leadership." She added, "I look forward to the journey we will build together. Please join me."
After visiting Namdaemun, Steel also posted her thoughts. She wrote candidly, "Returning to Namdaemun Market after a long time brought back many memories. Much has changed, but the warmth, energy and familiar scenery were just as I remembered. It is exciting to rediscover Seoul, which feels both familiar and new."
It was later reported that Steel's first stop after taking office was Youngnak Presbyterian Church in Seoul, where her parents had attended. After arriving at Incheon International Airport on the 30th of last month, she went straight to the church around 6 p.m. Steel wrote in the guestbook in English, "I am very happy to begin my new journey in Korea with a prayer. I am truly blessed to be here."
Youngnak Presbyterian Church was founded by displaced people who came down from North Korea during the Korean War. Steel's parents, who were also displaced by the war, are said to have attended the church while living in Korea. In 2024, President Trump described Steel, a second-generation displaced person, as a "patriot of America First who bravely escaped communism."
Steel is said to have noted that her family had originally been members of Youngnak Presbyterian Church. She was born in Seoul in 1955, and her parents, who were from North Korea, fled to South Korea after the Korean War and settled in Seoul.
Steel reportedly met with the church's administrative pastor and elders. Pastor Kim Woon-sung informed the embassy that he would be unavailable that day, but the embassy said Steel would stop by only briefly to pray before visiting.
Born in Seoul in 1955, Steel spent her middle and high school years in Japan before moving to the United States with her family in 1975.
She later served in elected office, including as a member of the California State Board of Equalization, and then spent four years from 2021 as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the second Korean American U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following Sung Kim during the Barack Obama administration. Her arrival also ended a vacancy that had lasted about 18 months since former Ambassador Philip Seth Goldberg left office in January last year.

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