South Korea’s Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Jung Ho-sup Tuesday discussed ways to expand naval cooperation with his British counterpart, local media reported.
In the meeting with First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Korean officials also discussed into how to further tighten their cooperation in global peacekeeping operations.
Admiral Sir George Zambellas started his career as a helicopter pilot with 814 Naval Air Squadron, 829 Naval Air Squadron and then 815 Naval Air Squadron. As captain of HMS Chatham he was deployed as part of Operation Palliser off Sierra Leone for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross in 2001. He went on to be Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval staff of the Royal Navy in early 2012.
The security situation on the Korean Peninsula was also part of the discussion.
Zambellas arrived in South Korea on Monday for a four day trip, mainly intended for the christening ceremony of the first Tide class tanker.
In 2012, Britain awarded Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. a contract to build and deliver four of the vessels by 2017.
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring visited Korea last year. Admiral Sir George Zambellas said:
“I am delighted to be here to coincide with HMS Daring’s visit to the Republic of Korea. This 60th anniversary year of the Korean War Armistice reminds us of the enduring defence partnership between our two countries – one which has made further great strides in recent years. With our navies already operating together in the Gulf as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, I warmly welcome this opportunity to share our ambitions for even closer cooperation in the future.”
Admiral Hwang Ki-chul, ROK Navy Chief of Naval Operations said:
“This is a significant visit by the First Sea Lord and HMS Daring following our Naval Ships visit to the UK. I hope to develop further strengthened cooperation between two countries in the areas of counterterrorism, antipiracy and mutual development as well as increasing the defence equipment cooperation.”
As part of the countries efforts to strengthen ties, a South Korean Navy team will visit Britain’s naval base in Portsmouth as part of its training tour.
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