HONOLULU — The top U.S. commander overseeing this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise praised the Republic of Korea Navy’s leadership in its first command of a major multinational maritime force, as Korea continues to take on larger leadership roles in the world’s largest naval exercise. Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, commander of the Combined Task Force for RIMPAC 2026, said he was “extremely pleased” with the performance of Rear Adm. Kim In-ho, commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet, who is serving as Combined Maritime Component commander — the first time the role has been assigned to an Asian nation. “We are very happy to partner with the Republic of Korea and Rear Adm. In-ho Kim and his team,” Jablon said in a written interview with the Korean press corps. “I am extremely pleased with their performance.” He said training together in “complex, realistic scenarios” strengthens warfighting skills and interoperability, adding that such cooperation depends on partners continuing “to invest in their people and capabilities to increase their role in multinat