In response to growing security concerns in the region, Presidents Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea have decided to enhance bilateral ties through increased defence cooperation. The leaders discussed the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea tensions during their meeting at the presidential palace of the Philippines. Coastguard cooperation and nuclear energy were among subjects of the pacts they signed.
During his first official visit to Manila in over a decade, Yoon took the opportunity to convey South Korea’s readiness to assist the Philippines in its military modernisation efforts. This includes the possible acquisition of advanced weapons such fighter jets and submarines.
Previously, the Philippines has been supplied with navy vessels and FA-50 fighter jets by South Korea, which aspires to become the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter by 2027.
An international rules-based order in the South China Sea was stressed by the leaders, who also denounced North Korea’s nuclear aspirations. They also signed a memorandum of understanding to investigate the possibility of restarting the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which has been inactive since 1984 in the Philippines. The elimination of coal and the improvement of energy security are two goals of the Philippines’ nuclear power program.
Yoon will travel to Laos and Singapore for regional meetings after his stop in Manila.
