Teodoro meets SoKor envoy amid Seoul political turmoil

MANILA, Philippines — South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa paid a courtesy visit to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, where they exchanged notes on breakthroughs and potentials in the Philippines’ and South Korea’s 75-year-old relations.

The diplomat’s visit came a week after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was suspended following the South Korean parliament’s decision to impeach him.

The impeachment vote came after his short-lived declaration of martial law, which plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades. Yoon is also facing probe over allegations of corruption and insurrection.

In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Teodoro emphasized in his meeting with Lee the significant strides in bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in logistics and the defense industry.

Teodoro also expressed appreciation for South Korea’s continued support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, as he highlighted the anticipated delivery of a 3,200-ton patrol vessel for the Philippine Navy, which would be named BRP Miguel Malvar.

The DND said Teodoro and Lee also discussed the declaration of a Strategic Partnership between the two nations during Yoon’s state visit to the Philippines last October.

During the visit, Yoon and President Marcos witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation between the coast guards of both nations. The MOU seeks to “strengthen understanding, mutual trust and confidence” while “promoting, preserving and protecting their mutual maritime interests.”

Earlier this week, the Philippines participated in the 3rd ASEAN+3 Economic Cooperation and Financial Stability Forum in South Korea, where it joined discussions on the urgent need for enhanced economic and financial cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

With the theme “Sustainable Growth: Reinforcing Resilience, Revitalizing Productivity,” the event was held on Dec. 16 at the Bank of Korea in Seoul.

The forum was jointly organized by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of Korea.