UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | SEOUL, August 12, 2026 — President Lee Jae-myung received credentials from four newly appointed resident ambassadors at the Office of the President in Cheong Wa Dae on the morning of August 12, welcoming envoys from the United States, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland in what marked the fifth credentials presentation ceremony since the launch of the current administration.
The four ambassadors who presented their credentials were Michelle Steel of the United States, Banda Maria Diaz Stelger Széqueira of Portugal, Jamal Abdullah Mohamed bin Abdulwahab Al Suwaidi of the UAE, and Sean Hoy of Ireland.
Following the formal ceremony — an official diplomatic procedure through which a newly appointed ambassador conveys credentials conferred by their own head of state to the head of state of the host country — President Lee held individual meetings with each ambassador to congratulate them on their appointments and to outline his expectations for their tenures in Seoul.
In each meeting, President Lee urged the new envoys to serve as active bridges to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across a range of fields, emphasising the importance of close communication and deep mutual trust even as the international environment continues to shift rapidly.
US Ambassador Steel: A Reliable Bridge for the Alliance
The meeting with US Ambassador Michelle Steel drew particular attention given the significance of the bilateral relationship and the 15-month vacancy in the ambassadorial post that preceded her confirmation.
Ambassador Steel, who expressed her pleasure at assuming her post in Seoul, stated that promoting mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between Korea and the United States is her core responsibility, and pledged to engage in broad communication with both the Korean government and the Korean people.
President Lee, noting Ambassador Steel's deep familiarity with Korean culture and society, expressed his expectation that she would serve as a reliable bridge in further strengthening the ROK-US alliance. He also emphasised that various pending bilateral issues could be resolved smoothly through reasonable and active dialogue and cooperation, and that the relationship would be advanced further on that basis.
Portugal: 65th Anniversary and Room for Growth
Ambassador Széqueira of Portugal acknowledged that exchanges between the peoples and businesses of the two countries have been active as the bilateral relationship marks its 65th anniversary this year. At the same time, she noted that there remains room for further development — particularly in high-level exchanges — and pledged to work to strengthen practical cooperation across various fields during her tenure.
UAE: Special Strategic Partnership and a Presidential Return Visit
Ambassador Al Suwaidi of the UAE assessed President Lee's state visit to the UAE last November as a significant turning point that elevated bilateral relations to a higher level. He conveyed his intention to work toward ensuring that the Korea-UAE Special Strategic Partnership develops in a more future-oriented direction, including through preparations for a return visit to Korea by UAE President Mohammed.
Ireland: G20 Invited Country and EU Rotating Chair
Ambassador Hoy of Ireland, describing it as a great honour to present his credentials in Seoul, expressed his intention to expand mutually beneficial cooperation across fields where the two countries hold strong cooperative potential. He highlighted Ireland's dual role in the second half of 2026 — as a G20 invited country and as the rotating chair of the European Union — and expressed hopes for close communication with Korea in both capacities.
The credentials presentation ceremony was assessed as an opportunity to reaffirm trust with key partners and allies, and to lay the groundwork for expanded substantive cooperation across diplomacy, security, economics, and culture.
