The chief of U.S. naval operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, has visited the shipyards of South Korea’s leading shipbuilders to discuss shipbuilding cooperation between the two nations.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Sunday that Caudle visited the company’s shipyard in Ulsan the previous day, along with Kevin Kim, U.S. chargé d’affaires ad interim.

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun met with Caudle at the shipyard, where Chung briefed the admiral on the company’s shipbuilding technologies and the two exchanged views on how to advance the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again project, a South Korean initiative to help rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry. 

Chung and Caudle also discussed ways to enhance the U.S. navy fleet’s operational readiness through strengthened collaboration. 

Later in the day, the admiral visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje for similar discussions.

Hanwha said Caudle inspected the exhibition hall, assembly plant and special ship quay, among other facilities, adding that he also toured the U.S. navy supply ship the Charles Drew, which is currently undergoing maintenance, repair and overhaul work at the shipyard.