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.