SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel on Wednesday urged Korean companies to expand their investment in the United States, saying the decades-old alliance between the two countries has grown from a security partnership into an increasingly important economic relationship.
Steel made the remarks at the AMCHAM-KCCI Doing Business in the U.S. Seminar 2026, held at the Grand Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in central Seoul.
Jointly hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea and KCCI, the eighth annual seminar brought together more than 300 government officials, business leaders and investment professionals from South Korea and the United States. This year’s event was held as a special “Freedom 250” edition marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
“We want Korean companies to succeed in America,” Steel said.
She said the bilateral relationship now stretches across sectors including semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, healthcare, beauty, food, technology and advanced manufacturing, while emphasizing that Washington wants to help Korean companies prosper in the U.S. market.
The U.S.-Korea alliance began as a commitment centered on defense and security, Steel said, but has since developed into an economic partnership in which the two countries increasingly work together to solve common problems.
“Our economic partnership will only grow stronger,” she said.
Steel concluded part of her remarks in Korean, saying, “If all else is equal, I ask that you invest in the United States. Let’s go together.”
Steel also highlighted Korean companies’ contributions to U.S. employment, innovation and economic growth and reaffirmed the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to supporting their success in the American market.
AJP Takeaways
- U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel urged Korean companies to expand investment in the United States, saying Washington wants Korean firms to succeed in the American market.
- Steel said the U.S.-Korea alliance has evolved beyond defense and security into a broad economic partnership spanning semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, healthcare, food and advanced manufacturing.
- Speaking at the AMCHAM-KCCI Doing Business in the U.S. Seminar 2026 in Seoul, Steel said the bilateral economic partnership would continue to grow stronger and closed with a Korean appeal: “If all else is equal, I ask that you invest in the United States. Let’s go together.”
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