Nominee for US envoy to Korea vows stronger alliance for security, prosperity

WASHINGTON — The nominee for the top U.S. envoy to South Korea on Wednesday highlighted her commitment to enhancing America's national security and economic prosperity by strengthening the Seoul-Washington alliance. During her confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Michelle Steel, a former Korean American congresswoman, made the remarks amid expectations for her role in addressing a range of pending tasks with Seoul, including "modernizing" the bilateral alliance and strengthening trade cooperation. "During my two terms in Congress, I worked to strengthen our national security, preserve economic prosperity, protect American workers and businesses, and advance human rights, including on the Ways and Means Committee," she said. "If confirmed, I would continue that commitment by strengthening our alliance with the Republic of Korea," she added, referring to South Korea by its official name. She pointed out that for more than seven decades, the bilateral alliance has served as the "linchpin" of peace, security and prosperity in Northeast Asia, while noting that the

Original source: Korea Times