MANILA — Joo Il-seok, commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Bayani Curaming, acting commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, to discuss stronger military cooperation between the two marine corps and expanded defense industry ties.
Joo is visiting Manila at the invitation of the Philippine Marine Corps headquarters, the Korean Marine Corps said on the 29th. In his meeting with Teodoro the previous day, Joo outlined the Korean Marine Corps' plans for future multidimensional high-speed amphibious operations and its efforts to secure core capabilities, and the two exchanged views on widening military exchanges and defense industry cooperation.
The following day, Joo held talks with Curaming on ways to invigorate cooperation networks in areas including combined exercises and military education.
The two commanders discussed expanding combined drills such as the Kamandag exercise to improve interoperability, stepping up personnel exchanges, and providing training support for crews who operate and maintain amphibious assault vehicles.
"I hope we will continue to share the education, training and equipment operation experience the Marine Corps has accumulated, and to pursue military exchanges and cooperation in various fields for the mutual development of both marine corps and an expanded role for each," Joo said.
Joo also visited the Korean War memorial hall with Reynaldo Mapagu, head of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, where he laid a wreath and paid tribute, expressing gratitude for the sacrifice and dedication of veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War.
