SEOUL, Republic of Korea – Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer visited U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) civilian and military leaders during a visit to Seoul, July 13.

This marks Spencer’s first visit to the peninsula since his confirmation and focused on theater familiarization and reaffirming the strength of the alliance between the U.S. and ROK.

"The U.S. and ROK have a longstanding partnership that has developed over the last 65 years,” said Spencer. “Our alliance is ironclad and our combined Navy and Marine Corps team continue to focus on shared goals such as readiness, advancements in maritime capabilities, and the security and stability of Korea and the greater Indo-Pacific region.”

Spencer began his visit meeting with U.S. military leaders including Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, and component commanders Maj. Gen. Patrick Hermesmann, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, and Rear Adm. Michael E. Boyle, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea.

“The U.S. Navy’s relationship with the ROK Navy has gained strength and depth over the last few years,” said Boyle. “It was my honor to host him during this visit where he helped reinforce the value our maritime forces bring to the region.”

His visit also included meetings with important ROK leaders including Minister Song, Young-moo, ROK Minister of National Defense, Gen. Jeong, Kyeong-doo, ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Um, Hyun-sung, ROK Chief of Naval Operations, Lt. Gen. Jun, Jin-goo, Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps to discuss the importance of continued bilateral coordination.

Spencer also made a brief stop to meet with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the ROK, the Honorable Harry Harris, to welcome him to the position and discuss the objectives Harris hopes to accomplish as ambassador.

To conclude his brief visit to the peninsula, Spencer hosted an all hands call where he heard directly from Sailors and Marines stationed in Seoul. During the all hands call, Spencer highlighted his three priorities, People, Capabilities, and Processes, and discussed his vision for the future of the Department of the Navy.

“We must continually seek ways to improve, to drive efficiency and implement new ideas,” said Spencer. “That is why I want every member of the Navy and Marine Corps team to speak up and offer solutions to challenges they face each day. We need to harness the full potential of our people, capabilities, and processes to make the Navy-Marine Corps team a more lethal, resilient, and innovative workforce.”

CNFK 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.

For more information about Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfk.

For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/secnav/ or https://www.facebook.com/SECNAV76.