The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) Dec. 8-9 to meet with Sailors, Marines, and senior leaders to reaffirm the Department of the Navy's strong commitment to the U.S. and ROK alliance.

During his visit, Secretary Ray Mabus met with Mark Lippert, the U.S. ambassador to the ROK, Han Min-koo, ROK minister of national defense, Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, ROK chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Hwang Ki-chul, ROK chief of naval operations, and Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, deputy commander, U.S. Forces Korea, where he received operational updates and discussed future initiatives to enhance partnerships with the ROK armed forces.

Mabus also conducted all-hands calls with Sailors and Marines stationed in Seoul and Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) where he thanked service members for their important contributions to the security of the Korean peninsula.

"We ask a lot of our men and women in uniform and you all perform your job very well under tough conditions," said Mabus during the all-hands call in Seoul. "I thank you for what you do for our Navy and Marine Corps team, for our nation, and for this great alliance we have with our Korean partners.

Mabus also thanked the people of Korea for their support of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces who are forward deployed on the Korean peninsula.

"Partnerships matter and our alliance with the Republic of Korea is very important," said Mabus. "We receive great support from the people of Korea, which allows the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to be where it matters and when it matters, to sustain our alliance, and maintain stability and peace throughout this region."

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.