Philippines, South Korea upgrade ties to strategic partnership

On Monday, October 7th, South Korea and the Philippines upgraded their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership during President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to Manila.

The two nations signed memorandums of agreement, including one for conducting a feasibility study on rehabilitating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, amid growing geopolitical complexities in the Asia-Pacific region.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed his South Korean counterpart and emphasized cooperation in defense, security, maritime issues, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both leaders discussed regional concerns such as China's activities in the West Philippine Sea and North Korea’s nuclear threats, underscoring mutual interests in stability and security.

President Yoon will attend ASEAN Summits in Singapore and Laos following his visit to Manila, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to represent the US at these summits instead of President Joe Biden.