Philippines and South Korea strengthen defense ties, elevate relations to strategic partnership

Photo : EPA

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met in Manila on Monday to strengthen defense ties and officially elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. The agreement comes at a time of increasing security challenges in the region, particularly in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula.

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During their discussions at the Philippine presidential palace, the two leaders signed several agreements, including one focused on coastguard cooperation and another on nuclear energy. Both agreements highlight the deepening of relations between the two nations.

In a joint press conference, Yoon expressed his optimism for the future of the partnership, stating, "President Marcos and I have opened a new chapter in our partnership by elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership." This is the first state visit to Manila by a South Korean leader in more than a decade.

Defense cooperation was a key focus of the talks, particularly in light of rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. Yoon noted that South Korea would play a significant role in the latest phase of the Philippines' multi-billion-dollar military modernization efforts. This modernization plan aims to bolster the Philippines' territorial defense and maritime security capabilities with the acquisition of advanced military assets such as fighter jets, submarines, and missile systems.

South Korea, which has sold a range of military equipment to the Philippines, including FA-50 fighter jets, corvettes, and frigates, is keen on expanding its global defense exports. Yoon’s administration has set an ambitious target to make South Korea the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter by 2027. The global defense market, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has provided opportunities for South Korea to sign large-scale contracts with countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The leaders also underscored their commitment to maintaining a rules-based international order, particularly in relation to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Yoon stressed that the international community must not tolerate North Korea's nuclear program or its "reckless provocations."

In addition to defense cooperation, energy security was a significant topic of discussion. Yoon announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement to conduct a feasibility study on the revival of the long-dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the Philippines. Originally completed in 1984 during the regime of Marcos' father, the BNPP has never produced electricity, despite a $2.3 billion investment.

South Korea, which is aiming to expand its nuclear energy sector, sees this project as part of its broader plan to export 10 more nuclear power plants by 2030. For the Philippines, restarting the BNPP could provide a reliable alternative energy source as the country seeks to retire coal plants in line with its climate goals and to enhance energy security.

Yoon’s visit to the Philippines marks the first stop in his broader tour of Southeast Asia. After concluding talks in Manila, he is scheduled to visit Singapore and Laos, where he will attend the regional summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Asian countries.

This state visit underscores the importance of the Philippines-South Korea relationship as both nations seek to navigate a complex regional landscape and bolster their strategic cooperation on multiple fronts.