1. On Thursday, June 3, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong had a breakfast meeting at his official residence with Admiral John C. Aquilino, new Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK). They exchanged views on regional affairs and ways to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance.

※ Admiral Aquilino took office as Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on April 30, following U.S. Senate confirmation on April 21.

° Today’s breakfast meeting was joined by Mr. Ko Yunju, Director-General for North American Affairs, from the ROK side; and Mr. Robert Rapson, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and General Robert Abrams, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command / United States Forces Korea (USFK) from the U.S. side.

2. Minister Chung offered congratulations to Admiral Aquilino on his inauguration and asked him to continue to contribute to strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance which serves as a linchpin for the stability and prosperity in the region, and to establishing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command which commands the USFK.

3. Also, Foreign Minister Chung elaborated on the outcomes of the ROK-U.S. Summit held in May and emphasized the importance of actively taking its follow-up measures. Admiral Aquilino said that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command will cooperate to this end.

4. Admiral Aquilino stated that as Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, he will actively support diplomatic efforts by the ROK and the U.S. by maintaining robust ROK-U.S. combined defense posture.