THE Philippines and South Korea leveled-up their relations to “strategic partnership” to promote a rules-based international order amid the current complex geopolitical environment, among others.
President Marcos Jr. and Korean President Yook Suk Yeol agreed on the elevated relations during their meeting yesterday in Malacañang.
Meanwhile, Marcos is set to leave today for Laos to attend the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from October 9 to 11.
He is also expected to meet with members of the Filipino Community in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and to push for connectivity and resilience especially in strengthening the digital economy and promote renewable energy development.
Yoon, during the meeting in Malacañang, expressed optimism that improved partnership between South Korea and the Philippines, along with his state visit, will open more opportunities for Manila and Seoul.
He also said, “Based on the special bond forged in blood, our two countries have closely cooperated over the past 75 years, and today, we are elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership which will bring our cooperation to a higher level.”
He expressed optimism that improved partnership, along with his state visit, will open more opportunities for Manila and Seoul.
Marcos said the upgraded partnership between the two nations would further enhance and solidify the cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea amid threats to rules-based international order.
“I am pleased to announce that the Philippines and the Republic of Korea have formally elevated our relations to a strategic partnership, adding further impetus to the strengthening and deepening of our cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic environment,” he said.
The diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and South Korea was formally established on March 3, 1949.
“As we chart the future direction of our relations, the way forward is clear. The time has come for us to elevate the ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea to a Strategic Relationship,” Marcos said.
“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, including the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” he added.
RULE OF LAW
Under the joint declaration on the strategic partnership, the Philippines and Korea reaffirmed the importance of respect for the rule of law, maritime security and safety, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
The two countries also shared “concerns about actions in the South China Sea that are inconsistent with the rules-based international order, which undermines peace and prosperity.”
“Recalling the publicly announced positions of both countries, the two countries oppose militarization of reclaimed features, the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, and coercive activities … they reiterated their firm respect and due regard to the respective rights, jurisdictions, duties and freedoms of States, including freedom of navigation and overflight, in line with UNCLOS.”
Tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea continues to grow following amid harassment by Chinese vessels of Philippine ships in the contested area.
Last week, a Chinese Navy boat used a “high intensity” laser against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft that was conducting maritime surveillance over the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos and Yoon witnessed the signing and presentation of several agreements between the Philippines and South Korea, including the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard on Maritime Cooperation.
Marcos said the MOU aims to strengthen understanding, mutual trust and confidence as well as promote, preserve and protect mutual maritime interest including maritime order and safety in the Asia Pacific region.
Other MOUs signed were on Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP); for Strategic Cooperation on Critical Raw Material Supply Chains; for Feasibility Study of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP); and on tourism development and exchanges for 2024-2029 between the Department of Tourism and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Also signed were a loan agreement on the Samar Coastal Road II Project and MOU on the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project Phase I (Stage I) and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project.
Marcos welcomed Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, highlighting the “Audacious Initiative” and the “August 15 Unification Doctrine” as significant efforts to maintain regional peace.
ASEAN
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Marcos is expected to attend 16 leaders-led engagements during the summit proper and on the sidelines of the event.
DFA Assistant secretary Daniel Espiritu, during a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang over the weekend, said that the President “will continue to uphold and promote Philippine interests in ASEAN.”
Espiritu also said the President is expected to push for connectivity and resilience especially in strengthening the digital economy; supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); promoting renewable energy development and addressing the impacts of climate change, among others.
He said Marcos is also expected to continue asserting the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in accordance with international law, and may raise the issues confronting the West Philippines Sea during one of the ASEAN meetings.
The DFA expects Marcos to join ASEAN leaders’ discussions on international issues that impact the region, including the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, Gaza, and other geopolitical challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific region.
The President is also expected to have bilateral meetings with officials of Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan.
