Riyadh: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul is set to visit Saudi Arabia this week for discussions on advancing military exchanges and maritime defense cooperation, the Navy announced Friday. The six-day visit, beginning on Saturday, includes a meeting with Vice Adm. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi, chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussions will focus on enhancing military cooperation, with the potential establishment of a regular consultative channel and expanded education training. Adm. Kim is also scheduled to participate in a bilateral workshop on defense industry cooperation, where he will discuss South Korea's expertise in fleet operations and its defense and shipbuilding capabilities.

Adm. Kim's itinerary includes meetings with the commander of the Saudi Navy's Eastern Fleet and the head of the King Fahd Naval Academy to explore opportunities for cooperation in maritime defense. Additionally, he will visit a shipyard operated by International Maritime Industries in Ras Al-Khair to meet with its top executive. They plan to discuss potential maritime defense partnerships, particularly in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector.