On July 25, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST, President Hong Gi-hoon) announced that it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), an arm of the U.S. Navy, regarding cooperation on marine research.

At its headquarters in Mississippi, the NMOC maintains a staff of approximately 3,000 specialized personnel. It provides the meteorological and maritime environmental information required for the operation of the U.S. Navy’s vessels, aircraft, and ground forces deployed worldwide.

Timothy Gallaudet, commander of the NMOC, paid a visit to KIOST to sign the MOA, saying that the agreement will form the cornerstone for the joint effort to prepare maritime battlefield environmental information with the aim of facilitating the combined operations of the two countries in the event of warfare.

Since 1990, KIOST has conducted marine science research to support the operations of Korea’s naval forces; it also established the Maritime Security Research Center to expand and accelerate maritime security research activities.

KIOST President Hong Gi-hoon stated, “Based on this agreement, cooperation between our two think tanks will be expanded, particularly in terms of joint maritime surveys, personnel exchanges, and technical cooperation.”

【Hong Gi-hoon, president of KIOST (right), and Timothy Gallaudet, commander of the NMOC (left), exchanging copies the MOA】

【Commemorative photograph of the two organizations after signing the MOA】