By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol received the new commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo, on May 30and congratulated him on his assumption of command and asked him to make efforts to strengthen the alliance's defense posture.

The President praised Admiral Paparo's contributions to the defense of the Korean Peninsula over the past three years as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and expressed his excitement about his familiarity with the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The President called for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's active contribution and support in maintaining a strong alliance readiness and building a “unified extended deterrence” amid the threat of North Korea's illegal nuclear and missile development and provocations.

Paparo said he strongly supports the U.S.-ROK alliance and will strive to further strengthen and develop it, and emphasized that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command  will continue to work closely with its South Korean counterparts to maintain a strong joint defense posture.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also met with Samuel Paparo, the new U.S. commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and exchanged views on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, as well as the U.S.-ROK alliance on May 30.