U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel speaks at the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on the 23rd (local time). [Yonhap News] 

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel attended her first public event on the 23rd (local time) ahead of her departure to take up her post in Korea.

She began her public activities at the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center, which will serve as the forward base for "MASGA."

At the event held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Steel stated, "The United States and South Korea have been together as allies bound by long-shared values and sacrifices," adding that the bilateral alliance is expanding into a new and critical domain through shipbuilding cooperation.

She also assessed that both the U.S. and South Korean governments and industries are enjoying mutual benefits through South Korea's investments in the U.S.

She further remarked that this is part of a larger vision in which South Korea invests in U.S. manufacturing and shipbuilding to build a fair, reciprocal, and resilient trade relationship between the two nations.

Ambassador Steel noted, "It is very meaningful that this event serves as the venue for my first public speech after being confirmed as ambassador," and declared that strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance will be her "top priority" during her tenure.

When asked by a Yonhap News reporter at the event when she would leave for South Korea, Ambassador Steel replied, "Next week."

Having received Senate confirmation last month, Ambassador Steel is reportedly scheduled to depart for South Korea around the 29th.

When asked whether she had met with representatives from U.S. companies such as Coupang or Google before her departure, she refrained from commenting, saying, "I cannot answer that. Please inquire with the State Department."

Previously, at her Senate confirmation hearing, Ambassador Steel had expressed the position that U.S. companies operating in South Korea, such as Coupang, should not face discrimination.

At the time, she stated, "Just as all Korean companies in the U.S. receive equal treatment (to U.S. companies), U.S. companies in South Korea should also be treated equally to Korean companies," adding, "If confirmed, I will make sure to address that point."

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick (center) and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel (right) converse at the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on the 23rd (local time). [Yonhap News]