New US Ambassador to Seoul Vows to Strengthen Alliance

Michelle Sison, the new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, arrived in Seoul on March 30th, stating her commitment to reinforcing the "ironclad" alliance between the two nations. Speaking at Incheon International Airport, Sison, who was born in Seoul, expressed her mixed emotions about returning to represent the United States.

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I look forward to working with you to ensure our ironclad alliance remains the linchpin of regional peace and security.

"I look forward to working with you to ensure our ironclad alliance remains the linchpin of regional peace and security," Sison told reporters in English after an initial greeting in Korean. She referenced a meeting between then-President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae-myung, suggesting it opened a new chapter for the alliance. Sison affirmed her intention to realize Trump's vision for the alliance, predicting it would become "stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever."

The ambassador highlighted the historical significance of the alliance, forged in war and solidified through shared sacrifice. "Our alliance was forged in war and secured through the blood of those who stood shoulder to shoulder to defend freedom," she stated, calling the current U.S.-South Korea alliance one of the world's strongest.

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Our alliance was forged in war and secured through the blood of those who stood shoulder to shoulder to defend freedom.

Sison's remarks on the "Gyeongju" meeting likely refer to follow-up actions on agreements made during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last October, including trade negotiations. She is expected to play a key role in implementing these bilateral agreements, particularly in security and trade. Attention is also focused on how Sison, known for her firm stance on North Korea and China, will navigate potential conflicts with the current South Korean administration while conveying the Trump administration's demands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed anticipation for Sison's "meaningful contributions" to strengthening the alliance and fostering friendship between the two peoples, noting that her appointment follows a year-long vacancy and should lead to more effective diplomatic communication.

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The new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea stated her commitment to strengthening the alliance.

Outside the airport, Sison faced protests from civic groups opposing her appointment, while a smaller group of supporters welcomed her arrival. The protesters held banners criticizing her and chanting slogans, leading to a verbal altercation with the supporters.

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The new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea stated her commitment to strengthening the alliance.