PH, South Korea to boost maritime security partnership

Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines and South Korea have agreed to deepen maritime security partnership amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Both signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation between their coast guard during the state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The agreement is expected to enhance understanding, mutual trust, and confidence.

In a joint press conference with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, the two leaders highlighted the need to intensify maritime security partnership while committing to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

“Based on the MOU on maritime cooperation signed today, our two countries will reinforce maritime security partnership in such areas as tackling transnational crime, information sharing and conducting search and rescue missions,” Yoon said.

The agreement also seeks to promote, preserve, and protect maritime interests and ensure maritime order and safety within the region.

“We, the two leaders, exchanged views on a wide-range of issues in the region and across the globe and agreed to strengthen the strategic cooperation in a bid to uphold the rules-based international order,” the South Korean leader added.

Yoon said the South China Sea is a critica lane and that rules-based order should prevail.

“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,” he added.

PH-Korea maritime dialogue

Manila and Seoul will also hold their third bilateral maritime dialogue later this year.

The dialogue presents an opportunity for both nations to deepen cooperation in maritime security, the ocean economy, the marine environment, and regional maritime developments.

“Korea is leveraging its competitive advantage to push for greater international partnerships. As a pivotal maritime country, the Philippines is a key partner in the context of Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy,” said Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa in a forum last month.

Lee added that the Philippines is the only member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that has a maritime dialogue with South Korea.

The ambassador also noted that South Korea has consistently supported the Philippines on issues related to the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

“The South China Sea is now hotter and more turbulent than it was in 2016. Since I took office, the Korean government has issued its position on the West Philippine Sea 10 times, reiterating the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and a rules-based international order,” Lee said.