PACFLT welcomes Korean mayors

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wilbur | PEARL HARBOR (April 20, 2015) U.S. Pacific Fleet Director of Plans and Policy William Wesley holds an open discussion with 10 mayors and local government officials from the Republic of Korea. The meeting was held as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program designed to explore American values and traditions as the backbone of the U.S. political system and the mission of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Wilbur/Released)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

04.21.2015

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Wilbur
U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Ten mayors and local government officials from the Republic of Korea (ROK) got an inside look at U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) headquarters as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program April 20.

The program is designed to allow foreign leaders to explore American values and traditions as the backbone of the U.S. political system, the relationship between local and state/federal and the role of the justice system in adjudicating conflicts between federal and local jurisdictions.

“We are honored to visit this command. I never imagined I would visit the United States,” said the Mayor of Goheung County Byeongchong Park. “As I listen to this discussion today, I believe I can return home and help you to keep war from happening again.”

COMPACFLT participation in the program was to hold an open-forum discussion to cover topics such as recent trends in the U.S.-ROK alliance, the importance of the Indo-Asia-Pacific for trade and fishing, China, North Korea, the Rim of the Pacific exercise and ultimately, America’s rebalance to the Pacific.

“The main benefit of this program is for these mayors from Korea to learn about all that the U.S. Pacific Fleet does throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific and how much we do with the Republic of Korea,” said PACFLT Director of Plans and Policy William Wesley. “My main goal is to show them the United States’ and our commitment to the Republic of Korea.”

Wesley said that PACFLT was pleased to have the opportunity to host international guests and show them what PACFLT does on a daily basis.

During the open-forum discussion, many of the participants showed their gratitude towards the United States and the Pacific Fleet. Choong-Hoon Cho, mayor of Suncheon City Government talked about his appreciation of PACFLT doing its best so that the ROK will not see another war. He also said that he is grateful to be able to leave the meeting at PACFLT in comfort and peace.

“PACFLT is glad to have the opportunity to host international guests and to have the opportunity to show them directly what we do,” said Wesley. “I am glad to see how engaged the mayors are during their visit to the United States.”

For more news from the Pacific Fleet, visit www.cpf.navy.mil

• Date Taken: 04.21.2015
• Date Posted: 04.21.2015 15:21
• Story ID: 160722
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US