(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 2, 4-7, photo)

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung received letters of credence Wednesday from new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel and three other newly appointed foreign ambassadors.

Vanda Maria Dias Stelzer Sequeira, Portugal's new ambassador to South Korea, as well as Ambassadors Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi and Sean Hoy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland, respectively, presented their letters of credence to Lee during Wednesday's event.

Lee said "welcome" as Steel, accompanied by her husband, presented her letter of credence and posed for a photo with Lee.

During a subsequent conversation with Steel, Lee said he expects the ambassador to serve as a "trustworthy bridge" between the two countries in further strengthening the bilateral alliance, based on her deep understanding of Korean culture and society, presidential spokesperson Kang You-jung said in a release.

"Various pending issues could be smoothly resolved through reasonable and proactive dialogue and cooperation, through which bilateral ties will be further strengthened," Kang quoted the president as saying.

Steel pledged to work toward advancing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries by maintaining broad communication with the South Korean government and its people.

During a separate conversation, the new UAE ambassador said he will do his utmost to prepare for the UAE president's reciprocal visit to South Korea following Lee's visit to his country last year, which he said helped advance bilateral ties.

Newly arrived foreign ambassadors present their letters of credence to the head of state of the host country when formally taking up their posts.

Steel arrived in South Korea in late July as the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to the country.

pbr@yna.co.kr

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