President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed on Monday the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and South Korea will further enhance and solidify the cooperation between the two nations amid threats to rules-based international order.
In his statement during a joint press conference, President Marcos said the state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marks an important milestone in the vibrant partnership between the Philippines and SoKor.
The two countries are celebrating this year the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, which were formally established on March 3, 1949.
“Our decades of cordial relations have developed into a comprehensive partnership that spans political, defense, economic, socio-cultural, maritime and many other fields, across various levels of engagement,” President Marcos told President Yoon.
“And today, 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,” the President added.
President Marcos and President Yoon witnessed the signing of various agreements between the Philippines and SoKor, including the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard on Maritime Cooperation.
They also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP); Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Cooperation on Critical Raw Material Supply Chains; and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Feasibility Study of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
Both leaders also witnessed the signing of the Loan Agreement on Samar Coastal Road II Project and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project Phase I (Stage I) and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project.
Additionally, the implementation program of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Tourism and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for 2024-2029 was also signed during the bilateral meeting of the two leaders.
President Marcos said they also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the West Philippine Sea and the Korean Peninsula.
The Chief Executive welcomed the Republic of Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, highlighting the “Audacious Initiative” and the “August 15 Unification Doctrine” as significant efforts to maintain regional peace. | PND
