Philippines, South Korea deepen security cooperation, elevating ties to strategic partnership

South Korea and the Philippines, each faced with increasingly hostile rival nations, elevated their ties to a strategic partnership on Monday (October 7, 2024), including broader defence and security cooperation between the two U.S. treaty allies.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is on a State visit to the Philippines, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced the upgrade in overall relations after talks in Manila.

Under the strategic partnership, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation between their coast guards. Mr. Yoon also pledged to help modernise the Philippine military.