RAFU WIRE SERVICE AND STAFF REPORTS
SANTA ANA — Former Orange County congresswoman Michelle Steel has been nominated by President Trump on April 13 to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea.
Philip S. Goldberg, a Biden appointee, served as ambassador in Seoul from July 12, 2022 to Jan. 10, 2025. Since then, the embassy has been headed on an interim basis by Joseph Y. Yun (Jan. 10-Oct. 24, 2025), Y. Kevin Kim (Oct. 27, 2025-Jan. 7, 2026), and, currently, James R. Heller.
The 70-year-old Steel, a Republican, must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before assuming the post.
If confirmed, she would be the second Korean American to serve in that post after Sung Kim (2011-2014).
Steel lost her 45th Congressional District seat in a razor-thin 2024 race to Democratic challenger Derek Tran.
Steel, who is also a former Orange County supervisor and member of the State Board of Equalization, was born in South Korea and raised in Japan, moving to the U.S. when she was 19. She has a degree in business from Pepperdine University and an MBA from USC.
She represented the 48th Congressional District from 2021 to 2023, and the 45th from 2023 to 2025. The district includes Garden Grove, Westminster, Cerritos, Buena Park, Placentia, Hawaiian Gardens, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Artesia, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and La Palma, as well as parts of Brea, Lakewood and Fullerton.
Steel was congratulated by other Asian American Republican elected officials.
Rep. Young Kim (R-Mission Viejo): “Congratulations to my friend and sister, Michelle Steel, on being nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea! I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved — from Orange County to Congress and now, once confirmed, representing our great country abroad.
“Your heart and experience will serve America and the U.S.-ROK alliance beautifully, and I look forward to working with you in this new chapter!”
Steel, Kim and Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.) are the first Korean American women to serve in Congress.
Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster): “Wishing her continued success as she takes on this important role representing the United States abroad.”
Westminster Mayor Charlie Nguyen: “Michelle is a proven fighter for conservative leadership. She understands the importance of putting our country first and will represent our country well on the global stage. I look forward to working with leaders like her who understand the importance of strong, principled leadership that truly serves the families of California.”
Westminster City Councilmember Amy Phan West: “Congratulations to former Congresswoman Michelle Steel on this exciting and well-deserved next chapter as the anticipated ambassador to South Korea. Your years of dedicated public service, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to the community have made a lasting impact, and it’s inspiring to see you continue to represent our values on the global stage.
“I wish you tremendous success in this important role and know you will serve with grace, strength, and integrity … South Korea is fortunate to have you representing the United States.”