Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

In a meeting with United States (US)　Pacific Fleet Commander Samuel Paparo on June 21, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup said “the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy has been striving to expand its own role in maintaining peace and stability in the region by taking part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2022 on its largest scale ever.”

At the Tuesday meeting, the two sides exchanged opinions on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and also discussed ways to boost the ROK-US alliance. “The security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is more graver than ever before due to North Korea’s obsession with nuclear and missile development and its continued provocations,” Lee assessed, stressing that “the US Pacific Fleet Command is playing a pivotal role in countering North Korea’s provocations and maintaining a strong ROK-US combined defense posture.” Lee also called for Commander Paparo’s continued attention and support, as well as close cooperation between the navies of the two countries.

In response, Paparo said “the ROK and the US have been striving to maintain a firm combined defense posture against North Korean provocations,” adding that “the US Pacific Fleet Command has been committed to maintaining such combined defense posture.” Paparo also described cooperation between the navies of the two countries as "one of the most successful examples of the ROK-US alliance” and vowed to make “continued efforts to beef up the partnership.”