Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos announced on Monday, October 7th, that the Philippines and South Korea have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. He stated that he had held talks with South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul, discussing issues such as the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula, and signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation between the two countries’ coast guards and on nuclear energy.
Yoon Seok-yul arrived in Manila on the 6th to begin his state visit to the Philippines.
Following the meeting between Yoon Seok-yul and Marcos, they expressed that South Korea and the Philippines will enhance cooperation in the security field, with South Korea participating in the modernization plans of the Philippine military.
Yoon Seok-yul also mentioned that he and Marcos agreed to uphold international order based on international law, including ensuring safe navigation in the South China Sea. He further emphasized that both sides unanimously oppose North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and any nuclear provocations.
Yoon Seok-yul is scheduled to visit Singapore on October 8th and 9th. On the 10th, he will attend the regional summit of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Asian countries in Laos.
Experts have pointed out that Yoon’s visit highlights Seoul’s intention to closely collaborate with “like-minded” countries such as the United States, Japan, and Australia to ensure the adherence to international law, maintain the order of free navigation and open trade in the Western Pacific region.
This state visit by the South Korean President to the Philippines since 2011 is seen as a “crucial moment” in the 75-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries, according to Lee Sang-hwa, the South Korean Ambassador to Manila. He anticipates that the already “strong” relationship in various aspects such as regional and international issues will further enhance.
Don McLain Gill, an international research lecturer at De La Salle University in Manila and a geopolitical analyst, believes that this reflects South Korea’s increasing implementation of their Indo-Pacific strategy, which aligns with the pressing South China Sea issue faced by the Philippines.
“This is a significant indicator of strengthening ties between the two parties,” Gill said. “Both Manila and Seoul recognize the threat posed by China, and Seoul has become ‘tougher’ on the South China Sea issue, opposing China’s expansionism.” “This is a positive shift, indicating that Seoul realizes it cannot remain just a bystander.”