US Navy secretary eyes ties with Korea's top shipbuilders
On Wednesday, Secretary Phelan visited the shipyards of HD Hyundai in Ulsan and Hanwha Ocean in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, and met with senior executives from both companies.
'The relationship between the US Navy and the Republic of Korea's maritime industrial base goes far beyond ship maintenance,' said Secretary Phelan, after completing his tours.
'It is a cornerstone of our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthens the overall bond between our nations.'
As the first US Navy Secretary under the second Donald Trump administration, Phelan had emphasized during his confirmation hearings the importance of partnering with the shipbuilding industries of key US allies.
Following a meeting with South Korea's acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul, Secretary Phelan traveled over 300 kilometers southeast to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan. There, he toured facilities where a wide range of vessels are manufactured, including both commercial ships and warships.
During the visit, he inspected Korea's first domestically developed Aegis destroyer, currently at the shipyard for maintenance, as well as another Aegis destroyer under construction. He also discussed with HD Hyundai Vice Chair Chung Ki-sun ways to enhance the US Navy's shipbuilding capabilities through collaboration.
Later that day, Phelan traveled another 100 kilometers to the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. He toured the company's docks, including those for submarine facilities.
Phelan was also shown the Yukon, a US Navy 7th Fleet replenishment oiler currently undergoing repairs at the yard, alongside Kim Dong-kwan, vice chair of Hanwha Group. The Yukon is the second US Navy vessel to undergo maintenance at Hanwha Ocean. The first, fleet replenishment ship Wally Schirra, completed repairs in March.
The two shipbuilders have sought to align with the Trump administration's initiative to reinvigorate the US shipbuilding industry, particularly in the naval sector.
Hanwha Ocean acquired the Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia with plans to use it as a base for potential US Navy maintenance, overhaul and repair operations. Additionally, Hanwha is working to increase its influence over Austal, an Australian shipyard that builds and maintains US Navy warships.
HD Hyundai partnered with the US' largest defense shipbuilding company, Huntington Ingalls Industries, to collaborate in shipbuilding capacity improvement and developing cutting-edge shipbuilding technology in April.
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