Readout: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Republic of Korea, April 17-19

29 April 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to the Republic of Korea (ROK), April 17-19, 2024 to affirm the ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance, which has bolstered peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific for more than 70 years.

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Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Adm. Kim Myung-soo, chairman, Republic of Korea (ROK) joint chiefs of staff, second from left, at the ROK Fleet Headquarters in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Adm. Kim Myung-soo, Republic of Korea (ROK) chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, second from left, at the ROK Fleet Headquarters in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Koehler 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:
ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Kim Myung-soo
ROK Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Yang Yong-mo
Commander, ROK Fleet, Vice Adm. Choi, Sung-hyeok

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with the Honorable Philip Goldberg, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with Goldberg to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, back left, and Kang-il Hur, custodian of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK), front left, pay their respects during a tour of the world’s only U.N. cemetery in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. While in the Republic of Korea, Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

John Bocskay, international affairs director for the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK), right, and Kang-il Hur, custodian of the UNMCK, left, give a tour of the world’s only U.N. cemetery to Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, at the UNMCK in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. While in the Republic of Korea, Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visits the Wall of Remembrance at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. While in the Republic of Korea, Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, signs the guest book with his wife, Gina Koehler, at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. While in the Republic of Korea, Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes Republic of Korea (ROK) navy sailors upon departure from ROK Fleet Headquarters in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

Koehler assured the ROK Navy of Pacific Fleet’s commitment to a strong defense relationship, and extending the Spirit of Camp David, reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation between the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States to enhance interoperability between our combined forces to demonstrate the strength of the partnership and its resolve against those who challenge regional stability.

Koehler also met with senior U.S. officials including:
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Hon. Philip Goldberg
Commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, Gen. Paul LaCamera
Commander, Naval Forces Korea, Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with senior leadership and midshipmen at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, addresses midshipmen at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler spoke about the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, and Vice Adm. Kim Dong Lae, deputy superintendent of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy, center right, have lunch with midshipmen at the ROK Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler spoke about the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, signs the guest book at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with senior leadership at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Naval Academy in Changwon, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (Photo Courtesy of ROK Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander, Naval Forces Korea, at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet Headquarters in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler met with leadership to discuss the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, addresses U.S. Navy Sailors from Commander, Naval Forces Korea and Navy Region Korea at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet Headquarters in Busan, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Koehler spoke about the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and security concerns in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)

During his visit to Busan and Gimhae, Koehler met with Sailors and civilians assigned to commander, Naval Forces Korea, paid respects for the fallen at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and spoke to and ate lunch with midshipmen at the ROK Naval Academy.

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

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