page_title: Kathleen Stephens
section_title: U.S. Ambassador to South Korea
hierarchical_section_title: Kathleen Stephens / Career / U.S. Ambassador to South Korea
caption_attribution_description: English: US Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens is greeted by Principal Park Jong-wan and students at Yesan Middle School where Stephens taught as a Peace Corps Volunteer 33 years before.
context_page_description: Kathleen Stephens was the United States ambassador to South Korea from 2008 to 2011. She also served as the United States' chargé d'affaires to India from March to December 2014. She currently leads the Korea Economic Institute of America as President and CEO.
context_section_description: Stephens was nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea in 2008.  On August 1, 2008 the US Senate confirmed Stephens' nomination as US ambassador to South Korea.
  On October 8, 2008 Stephens presented her credentials to President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. The Chosun Ilbo reported that Stephens spoke to Lee in fluent Korean during parts of their meeting and said she would strengthen ties between the two countries. On October 9, 2008 Stephens visited Yesan Middle School where she had taught as a Peace Corps volunteer 33 years before. "Yesan is where I learned the qualities I needed to be a diplomat," said Stephens. "I had warm-hearted colleagues who were out there for me, and students who studied hard despite many difficulties. I learned how to endure hardships and convince others, which is essential for a diplomat."
caption: US Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens is greeted by Principal Park Jong-wan and students at Yesan Middle School where Stephens taught as a Peace Corps Volunteer 33 years before.
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