Defense Minister Shin Won-sik Meets Departing US Indo-Pacific Commander

"Contributing to the ROK-US-Japan Training Plan... Please Support the ROK-US Alliance"

Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik met with General John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who will step down on the 3rd of next month, at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan on the morning of the 11th.

On the morning of the 11th, Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, met with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander General John C. Aquilino at the Ministry of National Defense. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

Minister Shin expressed his gratitude, stating that General Aquilino played a pivotal role in increasing the regular visibility of U.S. strategic assets, such as the visit of the U.S. strategic nuclear submarine (SSBN) USS Kentucky to Korea for the first time since 1981 last year. He also praised him for contributing to the proper operation of the real-time missile warning information sharing system among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, as well as for planning multilateral trilateral exercises over several years. He then requested, "Please continue to support the ROK-U.S. alliance as an advocate even after your retirement."

In response, General Aquilino said, "The security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is very important for security in the Indo-Pacific region," and added, "I will continue to support the development of the ROK-U.S. alliance and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, to which the U.S. Forces Korea belong, is a key command that executes military strategy for Asia, including China, and is located in Hawaii, USA. Admiral Aquilino, a Navy admiral, has led the Indo-Pacific Command since April 2021, and Admiral Samuel Paparo is expected to assume command soon as his successor.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.