West OC Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) sent a letter to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol welcoming him to the United States, commending his ongoing work to improve relations between South Korea and Japan, and encouraging trilateral relations with the United States.

As the world faces unprecedented threats from North Korea, Russia, and the Chinese Communist Party, it is more important than ever to look past historical disputes and work together for global peace.

Rep. Michelle Steel’s parents fled communism in North Korea to South Korea, where she was born. Rep. Steel grew up in Japan and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 19 years old.

The letter reads in part:

“I also applaud your willingness to improve relations between the Republic of Korea and Japan. Your milestone steps to repair historical grievances, restore trade relations, and bolster supply chains are vitally important for peaceful stability in the region and global economic success. As someone who was born in the Republic of Korea and was raised in Japan, I believe we must do all that we can to improve these relations and create a trilateral relationship that will follow our shared values.”

The letter continues:

“I recognize that some in the Korean community still have mixed emotions about relations between the Republic of Korea and Japan. I understand this position, but also believe we must look past these historical disputes, especially as North Korea, Russia, and the Chinese Communist Party continue to threaten democracy and increase military assertiveness in the region and around the world. I believe that those of us with shared universal values should partner together and I again applaud you for your efforts in taking a brave step to improve allied cooperation in the region.”

Read the full letter here.

Foreign Affairs

Original source can be found here.