South Korea and the Philippines, both facing growing threats from neighboring nations, have officially elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which includes expanded defense and security cooperation between the two countries, both of which are U.S. treaty allies.
The announcement came during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Philippines, where he and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. engaged in discussions in Manila.
As part of the upgraded relationship, both nations agreed to intensify cooperation between their coast guards, and Yoon promised to support the modernization of the Philippine military.
The leaders also addressed pressing regional issues, such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. President Marcos highlighted that the geopolitical environment is growing increasingly complex and emphasized the need for both countries to work together to achieve prosperity and uphold a rules-based international order.
In recent months, confrontations between Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea have escalated, with Chinese forces using aggressive maneuvers and water cannons, resulting in injuries to Filipino personnel and damage to supply boats.
President Yoon underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and both leaders reaffirmed that the international community would not tolerate North Korea’s nuclear ambitions or its provocative actions. Yoon also warned against North Korea’s growing military ties with Russia.
Yoon’s trip to the Philippines is part of a broader Southeast Asia tour, with upcoming stops in Singapore and Laos, where he will attend the ASEAN summit.