▲ Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul delivers remarks during an event in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 10, 2026, in this file photo provided by the Navy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Yonhap) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul will visit Saudi Arabia later this week for high-level talks on expanding military exchanges and maritime defense cooperation, the Navy said Friday.

Kim will make a six-day trip to Riyadh starting Saturday for a meeting with Vice Adm. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi, chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the Navy said.

The two sides will discuss ways to enhance military cooperation, including the potential establishment of a regular consultative channel and expanding education training.

Kim is also scheduled to attend a bilateral workshop session on defense industry cooperation to speak about South Korea's experience in fleet operations and its defense and shipbuilding capabilities.

He will use the trip to explore opportunities for mutual cooperation in maritime defense areas, the Navy said.

Kim plans to have similar discussions in meetings with the commander of the Saudi Navy's Eastern Fleet and head of the King Fahd Naval Academy.

Kim will then visit a shipyard operated by International Maritime Industries in the eastern port province of Ras Al-Khair, where he plans to meet its top executive to discuss potential maritime defense partnership, such as in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.

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