BUSAN, South Korea (NNS) -- Oceanographer of the Navy and Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet signed an amendment extending a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Republic of Korea navy (ROKN), July 25, shortly following a meeting with ROKN CNO Adm. Jung, Ho-sub.

The agreement allows for the U.S. Navy to continue cooperating with the ROKN in conducting military surveys, processing and analyzing collected oceanographic, hydrographic and geo-acoustic data, preparing gridded digital databases and exchanging data and information.

"This agreement further strengthens our naval oceanography partnership with the Republic of Korea's navy," said Gallaudet. "Furthermore, the data we collect and share will not only allow us to continue to support multiple naval assets in the region and support our anti-submarine warfare mission, but will help to ensure safety of navigation for our assets operating in the Republic of Korea's coastal waters."

The MOA is in furtherance of defense cooperation under the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, signed Oct. 1, 1953. It establishes the general objectives of the U.S. Navy and ROKN program dedicated to military surveys of the harbor channel, coastal and deep-water areas bordering the Republic of Korea.

The Oceanographer of the Navy is a key advisor to the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations who provides naval leadership on issues related to oceanography, meteorology, hydrography, precise time, climate change, the Arctic, maritime domain awareness and geospatial and celestial referencing. It also serves as the senior policy advisor for issues related to national ocean policy and governance.