South Korean Naval Operations Chief Begins Six-Day Visit to Riyadh

Admiral Kim Kyung-ryul, Commander of the Republic of Korea Navy’s Naval Operations Command, has begun a six-day official visit to Riyadh, starting Saturday. The South Korean Navy announced the trip, which aims to expand bilateral military exchanges and deepen cooperation in naval defense.

High-Level Naval Talks in Riyadh

Kim’s first meeting is scheduled with Vice Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharaibi, Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. Discussions will focus on strengthening joint military cooperation, including the potential establishment of a regular naval consultation channel and broadening educational and training opportunities between the two navies.

Defense Industry Workshop and Fleet Expertise Sharing

The delegation will participate in a dedicated bilateral workshop on defense industry collaboration. During the session, Admiral Kim will present South Korea’s fleet operations experience, defense capabilities, and shipbuilding technologies — all as part of a broader effort to identify shared opportunities in naval defense cooperation.

Meetings Across Saudi Naval Command Structure

In addition to the main talks in Riyadh, Kim will hold parallel discussions with the Commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Dean of King Fahd Naval Academy.

Visit to Ras Al-Khair Shipyard

The visit concludes with a tour of the shipyard operated by the National Shipping Company — located in the coastal city of Ras Al-Khair in eastern Saudi Arabia. There, Admiral Kim will meet senior executives to explore possible partnerships in naval defense, with particular emphasis on maintenance, repair, and vessel modernization.

Saudi officials reiterated their position that the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait must remain open and secure.