Top U.S. envoy cites 'turbulence' in S. Korea-U.S. alliance amid rift in security, trade priorities美国最高特使称，由于安全和贸易优先事项出现分歧，韩美同盟关系正处于“动荡”之中。
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. envoy to South Korea on Wednesday descri...
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SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. envoy to South Korea on Wednesday described bilateral relations between Seoul and Washington as being in a state of "turbulence," stressing efforts to move the alliance forward into a stronger and more equal partnership.
U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel's remarks come amid apparent friction in the security and trade ties, from implementing their summit agreement from last October and intelligence sharing on North Korea to Seoul's push to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington.
"This is, kind of, like a turbulence that we are going through between the Republic of Korea and the U.S.," she said during a dialogue session hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), referring to South Korea by its official name.
"An alliance does not mean it stays always the same. It can be weaker, and we can move forward to be stronger. This is exactly what we are working on," she said.
Seoul and Washington have agreed on a series of economic and security commitments, including nuclear energy, shipbuilding cooperation and South Korean investment in the U.S., following their leaders' summit in October last year.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel delivers remarks during an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) at a hotel in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
However, they have made slow progress in implementing the deals, as issues like Seoul's legal scrutiny over U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. have emerged as a key sticking point hampering momentum in the broader relationship.
Washington has also scaled back intelligence sharing on North Korea with Seoul in a pushback against South Korea's unification minister disclosing a confidential North Korean nuclear facility.
The OPCON transfer remains an area where the allies have shown differences over the timing of the transition.
"So this working partnership between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea is the most important part," Steel said.
Addressing U.S. concerns over South Korea's regulatory policy affecting U.S. companies like Coupang, the ambassador strongly called on Seoul to ensure fair and equal treatment.
"American companies in Korea deserve to compete on a level playing field, fairly and without discrimination," she said in her opening remarks.
While speaking on the panel, she also noted that the summit agreement, known as the joint fact sheet, states fair treatment for these companies.
"They have raided these companies, and they have audited these companies," she said. "Hopefully, it is getting better; I heard it was getting better since we signed the joint fact sheet."
Steel also said South Korea is no longer a country that needs U.S. protection, citing its remarkable economic growth since the 1950-53 Korean War, and called on the ally to take a more leading role alongside the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region.
"Now it's time to stand up and lead together with the United States and lead the Indo-Pacific region. South Korea's economy grew so much," she noted.
Her remarks appeared to echo the Donald Trump administration's regional strategy, which centers on curbing an increasingly assertive China.
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel (C) speaks during a dialogue session at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), alongside AMCHAM Chairman James Kim (L) and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, at a hotel in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
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首尔，10月21日（韩联社）——美国驻韩国最高特使周三表示，首尔和华盛顿之间的双边关系正处于“动荡”状态，并强调双方正努力推动韩美同盟发展成为更强大、更平等的伙伴关系。
美国大使米歇尔·斯蒂尔发表上述言论之际，两国安全和贸易关系显然出现了摩擦，从去年10月峰会协议的执行情况、朝鲜情报共享，到首尔方面努力从华盛顿手中夺回战时作战控制权（OPCON）。
“这有点像我们正在经历的大韩民国和美国之间的动荡，”她在韩国美国商会（AMCHAM）主办的一次对话会上说道，她用的是韩国的正式名称。
“联盟并不意味着它永远保持不变。它可能会变弱，但我们可以携手变得更强大。这正是我们正在努力的方向，”她说道。
继去年10月两国领导人峰会之后，首尔和华盛顿就一系列经济和安全承诺达成一致，包括核能、造船合作以及韩国对美投资。
2026年10月21日，美国驻韩国大使米歇尔·斯蒂尔在首尔梨泰院一家酒店举行的韩国美国商会（AMCHAM）活动上发表讲话。（韩联社）
然而，由于首尔对在美国上市的电子商务巨头 Coupang Inc. 的法律审查等问题成为阻碍双方更广泛关系发展的关键症结所在，他们在执行这些协议方面进展缓慢。
为了报复韩国统一部长官泄露朝鲜一处机密核设施的信息，华盛顿方面也减少了与首尔在朝鲜问题上的情报共享。
作战指挥权移交仍然是盟军在移交时间安排上存在分歧的领域。
“因此，美国和韩国之间的这种工作伙伴关系是最重要的部分，”斯蒂尔说。
针对美国对韩国监管政策影响到像 Coupang 这样的美国公司的担忧，大使强烈呼吁首尔确保公平和平等的待遇。
她在开幕致辞中表示：“在韩国的美国公司理应在公平公正、不受歧视的环境下进行竞争。”
她在小组讨论中还指出，峰会协议（即联合情况说明书）规定了对这些公司的公平待遇。
“他们突击检查了这些公司，也对这些公司进行了审计，”她说。“希望情况正在好转；我听说自从我们签署联合情况说明书以来，情况有所好转。”
斯蒂尔还表示，韩国不再需要美国的保护，并列举了韩国自 1950-53 年朝鲜战争以来取得的显著经济增长，呼吁这个盟友在印太地区与美国一起发挥更领导作用。
“现在是时候与美国携手，共同领导印太地区了。韩国经济增长如此迅猛，”她指出。
她的言论似乎与唐纳德·特朗普政府的地区战略相呼应，该战略的核心是遏制日益强势的中国。
2026年10月21日，美国驻韩国大使米歇尔·斯蒂尔（中）在韩国美国商会（AMCHAM）主办的活动对话会上发表讲话，韩国美国商会会长詹姆斯·金（左）和驻韩美军司令泽维尔·布伦森将军也出席了此次活动。（韩联社）
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美国最高特使称，由于安全和贸易优先事项出现分歧，韩美同盟关系正处于“动荡”之中。