South Korean Navy chief visits PHL, meets with Philippine Navy chief

Admiral Sim, Seung-Seob, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the Republic of Korea, arrived on Friday in the country for a two-day official visit until Nov. 30.

He was welcomed with arrival honors at the Philippine Navy (PN) headquarters prior to his courtesy call with PN Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.

South Korean Navy chief Admiral Sim, Seung-Seob pays a courtesy call on Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, at the PN Headquarters on Friday, Nov. 30, 2019. Naval Public Affairs Office

Admiral Sim, in his speech, said he appreciates the PN's effort to maintain a good relationship with the South Korean Navy.

He also underscored the importance of naval cooperation and coordination.

Admiral Sim said his visit is "an opportunity to further enhance the relationship between the two Navies."

Empedrad acknowledged that PN's partnership with the South Korean Navy is strategic and beneficial to the PN's modernization efforts and its personnel capacity upgrade.

Admiral Sim was also scheduled to lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and pay a courtesy call on the South Korean Ambassador, Han Dong-Man.

The PN said the South Korean Navy is among its key defense partners. —KG, GMA News