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19/06/2026

Michelle Steel confirmed as US Ambassador to South Korea.

On June 17, the US Senate confirmed her nomination 55 to 39, roughly two months after President Trump named her on April 13.

Steel won a US House seat in 2020, becoming one of the first Korean American women in Congress.

In office she focused on North Korean human rights, introducing the Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act to help reunite families separated by the Korean War.

She also pushed legislation on the rights of North Koreans in China.

She served on a commission opposing human rights abuses in China and backed bills supporting Taiwan's democracy.

Her parents fled North Korea during the war. She has linked their experience to her own opposition to communism.

She follows Sung Kim as the second Korean American to serve in the role.

19/06/2026

U.S. Armed Services Committees demand assessment of "Chinese Communist Party influence inside South Korea."

Both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees included the CCP's influence within South Korea as a review item in the accompanying reports to the Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA.

It is the first time such a request has appeared.

The Senate report lists, under "Items of Special Interest," an entry titled "Assessment of Malign Chinese Communist Party Influence in South Korea."

Two assessments are required.

First, whether Chinese activity inside South Korea could create information security risks targeting U.S. Forces Korea personnel and related facilities, through intelligence collection, contact, and recruitment.

Second, whether it could disrupt supply chains of "dual-use" advanced components and critical materials, which serve civilian purposes but can also be used militarily.

The House committee included a similar item.

Congress has officially acknowledged that the shadow of China inside its ally South Korea could reach the safety of American forces themselves.

16/06/2026