Overview
- U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean in South Korea to discuss naval shipbuilding and maintenance collaboration.
- During meetings with South Korean leaders, including Acting President Han Duck-soo, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening industrial ties to rebuild U.S. shipyard capacity.
- Phelan toured facilities producing next-generation Aegis destroyers and highlighted South Korea's expertise in shipbuilding and MRO services as crucial to U.S. fleet readiness.
- The U.S. Navy reaffirmed its commitment to trilateral security cooperation with South Korea and Japan to bolster Indo-Pacific deterrence.
- South Korean companies pledged deeper cooperation with the U.S., building on Hanwha Ocean's acquisition of Philly Shipyard to integrate South Korean technology and capital into American shipbuilding.