Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha formally presented her credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump in a ceremony Tuesday, a diplomatic protocol that officially recognizes her as Seoul's top envoy. Kang was among 13 other foreign ambassadors attending the ceremony to present the credentials to Trump at the White House in Washington, according to the Korean Embassy in the U.S. Kang, a former Korean foreign minister during Trump's first term, took up her new post on Oct. 4. By practice, an ambassador cannot fully perform his or her duties until presenting the credentials to the leader of the host country. With Washington's consent, Kang presented her credentials in writing and officially assumed her role, accompanying President Lee Jae Myung to his Oct. 29 summit talks with Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. While speaking to Kang at the ceremony for the credential presentation, Trump reportedly sent his special regards to Lee.