The U.S. Senate confirmed former Republican congresswoman Michelle Steel to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to South Korea on Wednesday, as the allies navigate concerns over North Korea, defense and trade.

The Senate voted 55-39 to approve President Donald Trump’s nomination of Steel, which was submitted in April.

The 70-year-old former U.S. representative from California’s Orange County will be the second Korean American to serve as Washington’s top envoy to Seoul, following Sung Kim’s appointment during the Obama administration. 

Her confirmation ends a prolonged vacancy in Seoul, where the U.S. has lacked an ambassador since Philip Goldberg departed