Why It Matters

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has been without a confirmed ambassador for more than a year, a gap that has persisted through South Korea's political upheaval and an acting ambassador's abrupt departure in January 2026. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing scheduled for May 20 will put three State Department nominees before senators at a moment when two key bilateral relationships (with South Korea and Norway) are showing signs of strain, and the department's top legal post sits vacant.

A NATO ally has just been notified that American weapons deliveries may be delayed, the Korean Peninsula in flux has gone without a permanent U.S. diplomatic presence, and the State Department lacks a confirmed legal adviser as cybersecurity and international law grow more central to foreign policy.

The Seoul Vacancy

President Trump nominated former California Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on April 13, 2026. The announcement came after the ambassadorship had been vacant throughout Trump's second term.

The vacancy deepened in early January 2026 when Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim left his post in Seoul and returned to the United States after less than three months on the job, according to NK News and UPI. His departure raised questions about Washington's posture toward the U.S.-South Korea alliance and North Korea policy at a moment of continued political instability in Seoul.

The Korea Economic Institute of America described Steel as "an outspoken advocate for North Korean human rights." If confirmed, she would become the second Korean American to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, following former Ambassador Sung Kim, who served from 2011 to 2014. The Chosun Ilbo reported the nomination as ending "over-a-year vacancy" and aiming to "restore communication" with Seoul.

The Norway Ambassador

President Trump nominated Michael Kavoukjian, of Florida, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Norway. The State Department's official biography describes him as having "extensive experience leading teams in international environments, along with his lifelong involvement in foreign relations."

It is a re-nomination. Congress.gov records show a prior nomination that was returned to the President on January 3, 2026, under Senate Rule XXXI, meaning the Senate adjourned without acting on it.

The confirmation hearing arrives against a backdrop of emerging friction between Washington and Oslo. Document News reported that Norway, alongside EU countries, had distanced itself from the U.S.-led approach to Iran's nuclear program, adding another dimension to the diplomatic relationship an ambassador would need to navigate.

The State Department's Legal Vacancy

President Trump nominated Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to serve as Legal Adviser of the Department of State, replacing Reed Rubinstein. According to his biography at Freshfields, where he is a partner, Dahl specializes in cybersecurity, data privacy, advanced technology, regulatory investigations, and international transactional negotiations, areas that have grown increasingly central to U.S. foreign policy.

The Legal Adviser serves as the State Department's top lawyer, advising the Secretary of State and department leadership on questions of domestic and international law. The position carries significant weight in treaty negotiations, sanctions policy, and the legal frameworks that govern U.S. engagement abroad.

The Committee and Its Chair

The committee includes members with direct stakes in the relationships at issue. The alliance with South Korea and the broader Indo-Pacific posture, as well as NATO commitments to Norway, fall squarely within the committee's jurisdiction. Senators on both sides are likely to press the nominees on how they would approach alliance management at a moment when both relationships are under pressure. The hearing will be held on May 20, 2026, with Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) serves as ranking member.

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