Marcos: PH, South Korea elevate ties to ‘strategic partnership’

MANILA, Philippines — President  Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that the Philippines and South Korea have elevated their relations to a strategic partnership.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the pronouncement during a joint press statement with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

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“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,” Marcos said in a speech.

According to Marcos, he and Yoon covered several areas of cooperation during a bilateral meeting.

He noted that their discussions included various areas of cooperation including defense and security, maritime cooperation, economic development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as the Philippines’ long-time dispute with China in the South China Sea.

“President Yoon and I likewise exchanged views on regional and international issues such as the West Philippine Sea and the Korean Peninsula,” said Marcos.

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Before Marcos’ announcement, he and Yoon signed several agreements including a maritime cooperation memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard.