MANILA, Philippine: The Philippines and South Korea have strengthened their maritime cooperation in response to China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea.
During a meeting in Manila, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos agreed to enhance coordination between their coast guards, focusing on tackling transnational crime, information sharing, and conducting joint search and rescue missions.
Yoon emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea according to international law.
Both nations are committed to promoting a rules-based maritime order in the face of China’s attempts to expand its presence in the contested waters. China has been accused of deploying vessels that harass Philippine ships and constructing artificial islands with military infrastructure, despite an international ruling dismissing its territorial claims.
In addition to maritime cooperation, the two leaders signed agreements on critical raw material supply chains and a feasibility study for reviving the Philippines’ Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Marcos stressed the need for collaboration amid the complex geopolitical landscape to ensure prosperity and uphold international laws in the region.
