Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the Republic of Korea (ROK), June 21-23, 2022, to reaffirm the iron-clad alliance of the ROK and United States.

Paparo met with a number of senior ROK officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.

The meetings included:

• Minister of Defense Honorable Jong-sup Lee
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (CJCS) Gen. In Choul Won
• Perspective CJCS Gen. Seung Kyum Kim
• Deputy of Combined Forces Command Gen. Byung-seok Ahn
• Chief of Naval Operations Jong-ho Lee
• Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps Lt Gen. Tae Sung Kim
• ROK Fleet Vice Adm. Dong Hun Kang
• Naval Education and Training Command Vice. Adm. Sungryol Lee

The leaders discussed North Korea’s ongoing provocations and the Korean Peninsula’s security situation, and Paparo assured Pacific Fleet’s commitment to a strong defense posture with the ROK Navy. Paparo also discussed deepening and broadening the robust naval cooperation to strengthen global maritime security in the international rules based order.

Paparo thanked the defense leadership for their commitment and robust participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) where for the first time the ROK will lead a task force in the world’s largest maritime exercise.

The ROK and U.S. Navy regularly participate in bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Pacific Vanguard, Cobra Gold and Pacific Dragon.

During the trip, Paparo visited the ROK Naval Academy where he spoke to cadets about the principles of leadership, solidarity of the sea services, and the changing nature of warfare at sea. He also received a brief and tour of ROKS Nojeokbong (LST II) by the ship’s commanding officer Cmdr. Kyungwon Park before addressing the crew.

Paparo spoke at the First National Prayer Breakfast Meeting for strengthening national security and the ROK-U.S. alliance, June 23. He reiterated that our great alliance must stand together for generations to continue to ensure respect, freedom and human dignity against the forces of tyranny.

The visit to South Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.

Correction: Cmdr. Kyungwon Park’s rank was incorrectly stated in an earlier version of this readout.