Philippines, South Korea to deepen maritime cooperation

2 nations elevate ties to strategic partnership

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday vowed to enhance maritime security partnership as they stressed the need to uphold a rules-based order in the South China Sea, which is threatened by China’s aggressive and hostile acts.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation between their coast guards – a deal that Marcos said was designed to “strengthen understanding, mutual trust and confidence” while promoting, preserving and protecting their mutual maritime interests.

“Based on the MOU on maritime cooperation signed today, our two countries will reinforce maritime security partnership in (areas such) as tackling transnational crime, information sharing and conducting search and rescue missions,” Yoon said after his bilateral meeting with Marcos at Malacañang.

In his opening statement during the meeting, Marcos, who has been critical of China’s actions in the South China Sea, called on Yoon to work with him in promoting a rules-based international order.

“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 (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the binding 2016 arbitral award,” the Philippine leader said.

The 2016 arbitral ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague voided the maritime claim of China, which covers practically the entire South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the landmark decision and has resorted to aggressive measures like using water cannons and ramming of ships to assert its invalidated claim. Several nations have assailed China’s aggressiveness even in other countries’ territorial waters.

According to Marcos, he and Yoon also covered several areas of cooperation, including economic development and people-to-people exchanges.

Yoon said he and Marcos exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues and agreed to “strengthen the strategic cooperation in a bid to uphold the rules-based international order.”

“We shared a common understanding about the importance of peace, stability and safety in the South China Sea, which is a critical sea lane of communications in the region. In this regard, our two countries will continue to work together in order to establish a rules-based maritime order and for the freedom of navigation and overflight pursuant to the principles of the international law in the South China Sea,” the South Korean leader added.

Marcos said he and Yoon also exchanged views on regional and international issues such as those involving the West Philippine Sea, the area in the South China Sea that is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and the Korean Peninsula.

Strategic partnership

Marcos and Yoon also announced that their countries have upgraded their relationship to a “strategic partnership.” The status is expected to deepen the ties that cover several cooperation areas such as security and economy.

“I am pleased to announce that the Philippines and the Republic of Korea have formally elevated our relations to a strategic partnership, adding further impetus to the strengthening and deepening of our cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical and economic environment,” Marcos said.

“We agreed that we have made significant strides in advancing and deepening our bilateral cooperation towards the attainment of our mutually beneficial goals,” he pointed out.

Yoon said the two countries “concurred to strengthen strategic partnership in the security front.”

“President Marcos and I opened a new chapter of our partnership by elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership,” Yoon said.

“We have agreed to enhance our cooperation in the defense industry. In particular, Korea will actively take part in the horizon phase three of the modernization of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he added.

Yoon said he and Marcos likewise reaffirmed that the international community would never condone North Korea’s nuclear programs as well as its “reckless provocations” and “illegitimate” military cooperation with Russia.

“Going forward, we agreed to keep working together for the enforcement of relevant UN (United Nations) Security Council resolutions,” he said.

According to Yoon, Marcos expressed support for the Aug. 15 unification doctrine and they both agreed that a free, prosperous and unified Korean Peninsula would bring more peace and prosperity to the world.

“I welcome the Republic of Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. The ‘Audacious Initiative’ and the ‘Aug. 15 Unification Doctrine’ are important efforts in this regard,” Marcos said.

BNPP rehab

Also yesterday, the Philippines and South Korea signed several agreements aimed at boosting their bilateral ties, including a deal that would allow them to conduct a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

The memorandum of understanding on the feasibility study of the BNPP, which was inked by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP), seeks to contribute to efforts to enhance energy security in the Philippines.

According to the DOE, the MOU seeks to conduct a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study on the potential rehabilitation of the facility. The deal was designed to generate critical information to guide the Philippine government’s decision-making process, not only on the BNPP, but also in exploring other nuclear technologies and possible alternative sites for nuclear energy development, the agency added.

“This will carry out a thorough feasibility study to continue progress on the BNPP rehabilitation, which we envision to contribute to energy security in the country,” Marcos said.

Yoon said he and Marcos agreed to lay the foundations for nuclear energy cooperation and took note of the importance of nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source.

“President Marcos and I both have committed to broadening our future-oriented cooperation in areas like energy and digital transformation as expanding engines for sustainable growth,” the South Korean leader said.

The Philippines decided to start the process of integrating nuclear power in its energy mix through Executive Order No. 164 issued in 2022. The government seeks to have its first nuclear power plants operational by 2032, with an initial capacity of 1,200 MW, expanding to 2,400 MW by 2035 and reaching 4,800 MW by 2050.

The move is in line with its objective to diversify the country’s energy mix, boost energy security and promote investment in human capital.

In the 1960s until the mid 80s, Marcos’ late father and namesake implemented a nuclear energy program, which paved the way for the construction of the BNPP. The facility was mothballed after Corazon Aquino became president in 1986, due to allegations of corruption and questions of safety.

Speaking before a Philippines-Korea business forum in Manila later yesterday, Marcos said investing in the Philippines is a “fine strategic move,” as he cited what he called the “deep connection” between their countries, as reflected by the popularity of samgyeopsal, K-dramas and K-pop in Manila.

“The deep connection that we have built – one that spans not just trade and commerce, but culture and friendship, solidifies our alliance. I am sure, with Korean restaurants sprouting out around the Philippines, Filipinos have – at least once – shared stories and have laughed over some kimchi, some samgyeopsal with friends and with family,” Marcos said.

“And of course, the countless hours that we have spent binge-watching our favorite Korean dramas and listening to K-pop. These highlight how the Filipinos love Koreans and your culture,” he added.

Marcos said many Koreans also love everything that is Filipino, citing the over one million Koreans who visited the Philippines’ tourist attractions last year.

“As we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, we stand on the cusp of an exciting new chapter, where our continued collaboration will pave the way for more mutual prosperity and growth,” the President said.

Marcos went on to promote the Philippines as an investment destination, citing its six percent economic growth in the first half and almost $9 billion in foreign direct investment net inflows last year. — Pia Lee-Brago