Korean Admiral Jung Ho-sub was conferred Indonesia’s highest naval award, Bintang Jalasena Utama, in a ceremony at the embassy in Seoul last week.

In the presence of diplomatic and naval officers of both countries, Indonesian Ambassador John Prasetio honored the Korean chief of naval operations for his contributions to enhancing bilateral naval ties through capacity building, technical training and arms procurement.

Some of Jung’s achievements include facilitating naval academy exchange between the Seskoal Indonesian Command and Staff College, and Korea National Defense University, annual navy-to-navy meetings and high-ranked naval officer visits.

“I believe that I received today’s medal not because of my merits, but because of all those who have put their best efforts to enhance the security of the Korean Peninsula and facilitate the growth and development of both our navies,” Jung said in a speech.

“I will continue to make efforts as chief of naval operations to enhance the cooperative partnership,” he added, acknowledging his “longstanding good friend” Admiral Ade Supandi, chief of the Indonesian Navy.

The admiral highlighted that since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, Indonesia and Korea have grown together to become strategic partners in politics, economy and defense. The two navies have cooperated comprehensively through senior-level engagement, goodwill port visits, international officer programs, defense industrial collaboration and submarine maintenance support.

Jung has led the procurement of a Diesel Electric Submarine type 209 class as well as the transfer of technology to the Indonesian Navy, the embassy said. Last year, the two naval chiefs visited each other’s countries and discussed the use of an Indonesian submarine currently being built in Korea, alongside training the Indonesian submariners. Both navies will participate in the Komodo joint military exercise and the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Indonesia in April.

Prasetio said the admiral had contributed “insurmountably” to bolstering bilateral relations, for which Indonesian President Joko Widodo bestowed him the top honor.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)