Chief of Naval Operations Spokesperson Cmdr. Desiree Frame provided the following readout:
Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby met virtually with Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Adm. Akira Saito and Republic of Korea (ROK) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo for their first-ever formal trilateral Head of Navy engagement today, April 16.
The three leaders reaffirmed the value of a strong trilateral relationship between the U.S., Japan and ROK navies and discussed continuing close collaboration to increase interoperability, data sharing, and regional stability.
Kilby thanked Saito and Yang for their support of U.S. ships and Sailors at naval bases in both countries and their partnership during combined exercise Freedom Edge to promote interoperability, as well as their commitment to working together to address regional challenges and threats.
The three nations remain committed to reestablishing deterrence, strengthening alliances, and advancing the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
