The purpose of the workshop, sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, was for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and key ROK stakeholders to develop working relationships and procedures in order to effectively respond to an oil spill from a USFK facility or operation in the ROK. USFK operates several installations and contingency locations in the ROK, as well as associated vessels and other equipment.

Workshop participants included representatives of the ROK’s Coast Guard, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Ministry of the Environment; Korea Environment Institute; Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Center; Korea Navy, USFK; and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

Among the topics presented by NOAA were an overview of OR&R’s scientific support role in oil and chemical spill responses in the U.S. and NOAA response tools available to spill responders. A spill table-top exercise was conducted during the workshop and participants also toured ROK response facilities and equipment in Busan.