Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. John Richardson, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens visited senior Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders and met with U.S. Sailors and Marines during a visit to Seoul Oct. 16.

During the visit, Richardson met with Mr. Baek, Seung-joo, the ROK vice minister of defense; Gen. Lee, Sun-jin, the chairman of the ROK joint chiefs of staff; and Adm. Jung, Ho-sub, the ROK CNO, to strengthen the shared alliance and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to security in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The U.S. and ROK partnership is vital not only to the security of this nation, but for the region," said Richardson. "We have a strong alliance and as CNO I will work to ensure it remains a positive force for peace and stability."

Richardson and Stevens also met with more than 350 Sailors and Marines stationed in Korea during an all-hands where many Sailors travelled multiple hours to hear from the new CNO.

During the event, Richardson thanked the uniformed and civilian service members for their work and highlighted his four priorities; integrity and safety, accountability and assessment, creativity and initiative and toughness and resilience.

"We've got to have deep respect for the shared bond that we have in those four attributes and our team," said Richardson. "These are all things I think are very special and I will continue to emphasize them during my tenure."

Stevens echoed Richardson's sentiment and said meeting with Sailors and Marines always energizes him.

"I'm always excited to attend these all hands calls," said Stevens. "Every conversation with you [service members] I get asked some good questions and hopefully today I will be able to provide you some good answers."

The two leaders answered questions covering current policies, diversity initiatives and fleet readiness from the members in the audience as well as online.

"This visit highlighted that Sailors and their families are not forgotten here in Korea," said Lt. Maria Ablen, assigned to U.S. Forces, Korea. "It sends a signal that our leaders think we continue to play an integral role to this region."

"I will remember that he [CNO] set aside a lot of time to speak with Sailors one on one," said Gunners Mate 1st Class Branden Simmons, assigned to CNFK. "Of course he is very familiar with all of our programs but he seems willing to make changes which makes me think that he cares."

After the question and answer session, both Richardson and Stevens posed with dozens of Sailors and Marines for photographs and answered additional questions prior to departing.

Richardson and Stevens will continue to conduct Fleet engagements and meet with key allied maritime partners in the Pacific theater following his visit to Seoul.

Richardson became the 31st CNO, Sept. 18, serving as the Navy's most senior officer, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Defense and the President of the United States.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the Commander for the United Nations Command, the Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/.