Ambassador's first official visit to Busan since taking post

Two sides exchange views on expanding bilateral cooperation

US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel (left) and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo [Busan city government]
US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel (left) and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo [Busan city government]

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo met with newly appointed US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel at the city hall's international protocol room Thursday afternoon, exchanging views on strengthening ties and expanding cooperation between Busan and the United States, the city government announced Friday.

Jeon welcomed Steel on her appointment and her visit to Busan, expressing hope that "the relationship between Busan and the United States, built on the foundation of the Korea-US alliance, will grow through cooperation across diverse fields including ports, logistics, the economy and culture."

Steel said she was struck by how much Busan had changed since her last visit. "Korea is now working alongside the United States as a leader in the global economy," she said.

Jeon said US cooperation had been a major driving force behind South Korea's growth, and highlighted Busan Port's standing as the world's seventh-largest container port by cargo volume and second-largest by transshipment volume. He also noted that a South Korean container vessel had recently completed the country's first trial voyage along the Arctic route, and said the city intends to develop Busan Port into a logistics hub for Arctic shipping as part of its vision to establish Busan as a maritime capital.

"We have high expectations for Ambassador Steel's role," Jeon said. "We will broaden cooperation in the areas of the economy, culture and future industries, and continue building exchanges that allow Busan — as a maritime capital — and the United States to grow together."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com