Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 3 Issue 1

January 16, 2015

The Korea Chair team takes a biweekly look back at events of interest in Washington, Seoul, and the region from January 1 - January 14, 2015. U.S.-ROK RELATIONS | U.S.-ROK Naval Drill The United States and ROK began a two-day joint naval drill on January 13 that included two U.S. Aegis destroyers (USS Martin and USS John McCain) and several ROK naval vessels, including the destroyer Gwanggaeto the Great, off the eastern coast of South Korea. According to Lt. Arlo Abrahamson, spokesman for the commander of Naval Forces Korea, the naval exercise includes communication drills, ship maneuvers, antisubmarine warfare training, and liaison officer exchanges. The ROK navy spokesman said the exercise was meant to reinforce the allies’ readiness posture against the North Korean threat.