Washington, DC - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson met with Adm. Sim, Seung-Seob, Chief of Naval Operations, Republic of Korea (ROK), March 29.

During a day of engagements that included an arrival honors ceremony and discussions between the ROK delegation and senior U.S. Navy leadership, the two Heads of Navy focused on expanding and strengthening maritime security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

"Admiral Sim’s visit to the United States comes at a critical time for our two nations," said Richardson at the welcoming ceremony. “The strategic environment is becoming more complex and our two nations have many common interests.  That is why visits like these are so important -- so we can better understand each other’s perspectives, learn from each other, and most importantly, coordinate ways we can work together to enhance the security, order, and prosperity of our two nations.”

Richardson and Sim agreed that enhanced cooperation and information sharing between the navies is more consequential than ever to ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader Indo-Pacific theater.

“The ROK-U.S. alliance is an integral element in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, especially during our current changing security environment, and we will have to further strengthen military exchanges and cooperation between the ROK Navy and the U.S. Navy,” said Sim.

The U.S. and ROK navies routinely conduct bilateral maritime engagements and operate together to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to his visit to Washington, D.C., Sim visited Hawaii and met with U.S. Navy officials of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Sim assumed the duties as ROK Chief of Naval Operations in July 2018.