JUNE 7, 2026 — U.S. Marines hosted a Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) delegation from June 1-6, 2026, to strengthen the longstanding bond between the two allied forces.
The visit began with a full honors ceremony at the Pentagon, where the ROKMC Commandant, Lt. Gen. Ju Il-Suk was formally welcomed by U.S. Marine Corps leadership.
“Today, I was honored to host ROKMC Commandant Lt. Gen. Ju Il-Suk, at the Pentagon,” said Gen. Eric Smith, the 39th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. “The bond between our Corps is built through decades of trust, service, and sacrifice. Together, we strengthen our alliance, enhance readiness, and ensure our Marines are prepared to fight and win.”
Throughout the week, the delegation visited prominent military installations across the National Capital Region. The itinerary included engagements with senior leaders at the U.S. Naval Academy and Marine Corps Base Quantico, where ROKMC leaders and their U.S. counterparts discussed advancing bilateral cooperation.
The ROKMC delegation also toured the National Museum of the Marine Corps to view exhibits detailing the shared history of the two services.
Further honoring this joint legacy, ROKMC leaders participated in multiple wreath-laying ceremonies alongside U.S. Marines, rendering honors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Marine Corps War Memorial. Additionally, they paid respect at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Chosin Few Memorial. These sites held profound significance for both branches, commemorating the battles their forces fought side-by-side.
A key highlight of the visit was a formal dinner which brought together the ROKMC guests and U.S. Korean War veterans. The gathering offered a unique opportunity to bridge generations, particularly as the visit coincided with the 76th anniversary of the war’s outbreak.
During that historic conflict, more than 150,000 U.S. Marines fought on the Korean Peninsula, with 42 earning the Medal of Honor. Building upon this foundation, the week’s engagements serve as a powerful reminder of a brotherhood forged in combat more than seven decades ago.
“The Marine Corps of the two countries, bound by strong camaraderie and trust, serve as a foundation of the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” said Lt. Gen. Ju during the visit. “We hope to continue cooperation in various fields for the mutual development and expanded roles of the South Korean and U.S. Marine Corps.
Story by Staff Sgt. Tawanya Norwood
Communication Directorate