South Korea, Philippines agree to forge 'strategic partnership,' upgrade ties

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Southeast Asian allies South Korea and the Philippines on Monday agreed to form a bilateral "strategic partnership" to enhance cooperation in security, economy, energy, and other areas.

During their summit in the capital Manila, visiting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a joint declaration to form a strategic partnership, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported, citing Yoon's office.

Yoon arrived in Manila on a two-day state visit on Sunday on the first leg of his three-nation Southeast Asia tour.

The development marks the first elevation of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1949.

"The establishment of the strategic partnership opens a new chapter in relations between South Korea and the Philippines," Yoon was quoted as saying at a joint press conference.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen defense industry collaboration, including the third phase of the Philippines' military modernization project.

Seoul previously exported FA-50 light attack aircraft, warships, and missiles to Manila.

Yoon and Marcos agreed to boost trade and investment by ratifying the bilateral free trade agreement signed in Sept. 2023.

Meanwhile, the coast guards of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime security cooperation, which includes combating transnational crime, sharing information, and conducting joint search and rescue operations.

The two sides also agreed to collaborate on major infrastructure projects in the Philippines and strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy, digital transformation, and critical mineral supply chains.

To support the initiative, South Korea will provide approximately $2 billion from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund to support the construction of the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network and the PGN bridge project, which will connect the three central Philippine islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros.

- Nuclear cooperation

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and the Philippine government also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study on the long-dormant Bataan nuclear power plant to determine its safety for operation.

The plant was completed in 1986 but was never activated due to safety concerns following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine that year.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen security cooperation amid North Korea's "evolving missile and nuclear threats and China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea."

"The two countries condemned the recent unprecedented surge in the DPRK's ballistic missile launches and its rhetoric regarding the possible use of nuclear weapons," the joint declaration said, urging North Korea to "comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

"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," it added.