Philippines, South Korea strengthen strategic

The Philippines and South Korea, each facing increasingly hostile neighbors, have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, including broader defense and security cooperation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the upgrade in relations after talks in Manila in October 2024.

Under the strategic partnership, the two United States treaty allies agreed to strengthen cooperation between their coast guards. Yoon also pledged to support the Philippines’ military modernization.

Marcos and Yoon discussed territorial disputes in the South China Sea and tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Marcos said that “as the geopolitical environment is only becoming more complex, we must work together to achieve prosperity for our peoples and to promote a rules-based order governed by international law.”

Chinese coast guard ships repeatedly have used water cannons and conducted dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, injuring Philippine Sailors and damaging supply boats. In early October 2024, Manila accused the Chinese coast guard of again firing a water cannon at Philippine government ships delivering supplies to fishermen at a shoal in the disputed waters, Reuters reported.

Yoon stressed the importance of peace and stability in the South China Sea and said he and Marcos “reaffirmed that the international community will never condone North Korea’s nuclear programs and its reckless provocations, as well as its illegitimate military cooperation with Russia.”

Yoon said North Korea’s recent disclosure of a nuclear facility was likely an attempt to grab attention ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November 2024.

The Philippines was Yoon’s first stop on a six-day Southeast Asia tour that included Singapore and Laos, where he was scheduled to attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.