Seoul: South Korea's Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha has urged the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Seoul, Michelle Steel, to contribute significantly to advancing the bilateral alliance's "new leap," as announced by her office on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang and Steel met on July 21 before Steel's departure for Seoul, where she is set to assume her ambassadorial duties. Steel arrived in Seoul on Thursday, Korea time, at a crucial juncture as both nations face a variety of joint tasks, such as implementing bilateral agreements on security, trade, and investment forged last year.

The Korean Embassy highlighted on Facebook that Ambassador Kang requested Ambassador Steel to play an important role in propelling the alliance forward. The relationship between the two countries is evolving into a mutually prosperous, future-oriented partnership that expands cooperation beyond security to encompass areas such as the economy, cutting-edge technologies, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy.

Steel affirmed her commitment to advancing the alliance further, as reported by the embassy. Upon her arrival in Korea, Steel emphasized her intention to ensure that the alliance continues to be the "linchpin" of regional peace and security, recognizing it as one of the world's strongest alliances.