Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to the Republic of Korea (ROK), April 18-19, 2023 to affirm the ironclad U.S.-ROK Alliance, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice and 73 years since the landing at Inchon.
Paparo met with senior ROK officials to discuss the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s destabilizing activities.
The meetings included:
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. KIM Seung Kyum
- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. LEE Jong Ho
- First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Honorable CHANG Ho Jin
- Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense Honorable SHIN Beom Chul
Paparo assured Pacific Fleet’s commitment to a strong defense relationship with the ROK Navy, and the importance of trilateral cooperation between Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States to enhance interoperability between our collective forces to demonstrate the strength of the trilateral relationship and resolve against those who challenge regional stability.
The two navies regularly participate in bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Sea Dragon, an annual multinational exercise between Canada, India, ROK and the United States.
The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.