Philippines, South Korea Form Strategic Partnership to Boost Defense Cooperation

The Philippines and South Korea are both treaty allies of the United States, bound by respective mutual defense agreements.

Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd R) and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (2nd L) pose for pictures as Kim Jong-uk (L), commissioner general of the Korean coast guard, and Ronnie Gil Gavan, commandant of the Philippine coast guard, hold up signed agreements during a meeting at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, on Oct. 7, 2024. Yoon is in the Philippines on a diplomatic visit of ASEAN partners. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

South Korea and the Philippines signed a joint declaration on Monday to form a strategic partnership and expand their cooperation in various areas, including security and defense.

The joint declaration was made during a meeting between Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was on a two-day state visit to the Philippines from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7. Yoon became the first South Korean president to visit the Philippines since 2011.