HONOLULU – The Consul General of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Mr. Walter K. Paik, presented the ROK President Order of National Security Merit Samil Medal to Navy Capt. Phil W. Yu during the Third ROK-U.S. Alliance Night Reception at Halekulani Hotel, Hawaii, Nov. 10.

Yu served as the U.S. Naval Attaché to the ROK from 2012-2015, representing United States military leadership on behalf of the U.S. Ambassador in Seoul. The Order of National Security Merit Medal is a Presidential-level award conferred on individuals who have rendered distinguished service to national security. Yu was recognized for his contributions to the U.S. and ROK partnership against piracy in the Indian Ocean, the ISIL-threat, and climate change, as well as promoting cooperation and strengthening the friendship between the ROK and the U.S.

“To me, this tremendous honor symbolizes how unbreakable our ROK-U.S. Alliance continues to be, after more than 60 years,” said Yu. “This alliance spirit is embodied in the more than 28,000 American forces and their families who are stationed in and around the Korean peninsula, working daily alongside our South Korea partners to safeguard our mutual national security interests. I would also share this honor with the hundreds of fellow U.S. Navy Foreign Area Officers who represent our country and our military leadership in overseas locations across the globe.”

Yu is currently assigned as the Division Chief for Northeast Asia Policy (J51) at U.S. Pacific Command, and continues to work daily on issues facing the Korean peninsula and the Northeast Asia region.