MANILA – The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed on Monday (Oct. 7) the importance of respecting the rule of law, maritime security and safety, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
During the State Visit of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Manila, both countries reiterated its support for a rules-based international order, which has been undermined by recent aggressive and violent encounters in the South China Sea.
“Both countries share 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,” the Joint Declaration of the Philippines and ROK stated.
“Marking the 8th anniversary of the July 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes between the parties to that proceeding, 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,” the Joint Declaration continued.
Earlier today, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and President Yoon held a bilateral meeting at the Malacañan Palace, as both leaders agreed “to elevate the ties of the two nations into a Strategic Partnership.”
Marcos also underscored the “myriad of fields of cooperation” between the Philippines and South Korea, including defense and security, maritime cooperation, trade development, and people-to-people exchanges.
“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,” President Marcos told President Yoon.
“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 and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” Marcos added.
For his part, President Yoon expressed his gratitude to President Marcos and the Filipino people for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation, highlighting the “special bond forged in blood” between the two countries.
Yoon was referring to the 1950-1953 Korean War, when a total of 7,420 Filipino officers and men served in Korea. According to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, 116 were killed in action, 299 were wounded and 57 were reported missing (41 repatriated during Prisoners of War exchanges).
The last of the Philippine troops left Korea on 13 May 1955, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul added.
Yoon also acknowledged the importance of a Strategic Partnership between the two countries, “as commitment to advance concrete cooperation across the full spectrum of the historic and dynamic friendship of the two countries.”
In the Joint Declaration, it stated that the Strategic Partnership is expected to “further deepen political engagements through various mechanisms, high-level visits, regular dialogues across many areas of mutual interest, and exchanges at all levels and channels.
Both sides will also explore deeper cooperation in the areas of tourism, space cooperation, 5G technology, cyber security, artificial intelligence (A1), robotics, digital technology, creative industries, and energy, including nuclear energy technology, infrastructure, smart manufacturing, smart agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, oceanography, universal health care, health systems, health security, disease control and prevention, vaccine technology and development, digital health and other innovation in health, the Joint Declaration stated.
In the area of defense and security cooperation, the Philippines and Korea agreed to conduct “mutually beneficial security and defense engagements and participate in bilateral and multilateral military exercises, education, and training to address traditional and non-traditional security issues through the implementation of existing defense cooperation agreements.”
This is Yoon’s first visit to the country, and the first State Visit to the Philippines by a Korean President since 2011, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines.
In a message to the Philippine media earlier, Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa emphasized the importance of the visit and called it a “pivotal moment” in the 75-year diplomatic relationship between Korea and the Philippines.
“President Yoon’s State Visit epitomizes not only a celebration of past achievements but a forging of even greater partnership and opportunities,” Ambassador Lee said.
