Yuri Kim, a 20-year veteran U.S. Foreign Service officer, was nominated by President Trump to serve as the American ambassador to Albania in June.

On Tuesday, she joined other ambassadorial nominees, including Roxanne Cabral, who is to assume the post of ambassador to the Marshall Islands, in a confirmation hearing by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Kim, a graduate of Academy of Our Lady on Guam, presented herself as possessing a truly international background.

"If confirmed, I would be the first Korean-American woman to represent our great nation as an ambassador. I would also be our first ambassador from the U.S. territory of Guam."

More:Boxer Amphibious Ready Group brings 5,200 military personnel to Guam

More:Mayor to girlfriend Vickilyn Teregeyo: I’m ‘very connected to that court’

She drew audible applause when she recognized her supporters in the crowd.

"In fact, I am joined today by a small cheering section from home, including my brothers Yeong-Sae and Air Force Lt. Minwoo Kim — one fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, the other keeping our nation safe as a munitions officer at Minot Air Force Base," she said.

In her opening statement to the lawmakers, Kim offered her credentials: "For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of serving our country as a foreign service 0fficer. From Beijing to Baghdad, and points in between, I have sought to ensure that the United States remains strong, safe, and secure; that our people and our businesses thrive."

For those who think of Albania as a relatively obscure part of Southeastern Europe, Kim emphasized that the country, a member of NATO since 2009, is a key, American-friendly spot in the middle of a troubled region.

"Few friends have embraced America more warmly. Poll after poll shows Albanian support for the United States remains among the highest in the world," Kim said. "Few allies have been more loyal. Albanian troops have been at our side in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia and NATO’s Eastern Flank. And few partners are as ready and willing to do more with the United States."

Rule of law

The unwinding scandal over the relationship between Washington and Ukraine has drawn attention to government corruption. Kim said such issues will command her attention should she be confirmed to her new post.

"I would reinforce U.S. diplomatic and foreign assistance support for strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption and organized crime," she said.

In the course of her career, Kim has served tours in China, Japan and Turkey, acquiring the language skills and cultural knowledge required to function in these nations and often worked in dangerous conditions.

Speaking to University of Guam students in 2017, Kim recalled that during her State Department Service in Iraq under President George W. Bush, her normal daily attire was a flak jacket.

On the net