President Aquino is eyeing a comprehensive strategic partnership with
South Korea, which affirms its support on its defense cooperation
agreement with the Philippines.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Aquino conveyed his intention to
pursue a wide-ranging partnership with the democratic Korean government
during his bilateral meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye
during the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK).
In their talks, Coloma said both leaders sought to boost
Philippine-South Korea security ties, as Aquino noted that the two
countries are “sister democracies” that “face the same threats and
challenges of an evolving region,” while sharing the “values of freedom,
respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law.”
President Park, in return, acknowledged South Korea’s support in its
defense partnership with the Philippines, which is facing a territorial
and maritime dispute with neighboring China.
South Korea is one of the Philippines’ most trusted military ally, its relationship stretching far back during the Korean War.
The Philippines entered into an P18.9-billion contract with Korean
Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the acquisition of 12 lead-in trainer
fighter jets, which Park recalled the Philippines had initiated after
Aquino’s state visit to Seoul last year.
The government is expecting the jets to be delivered starting next
year, and is targeting complete turnover of the aircraft by 2017. Apart
from the 12 FA-50 fighter aircraft, the Philippines also pursued
acquisition of transport equipment and raw materials for the government
arsenal.
South Korea is also planning to donate a patrol combat corvette, a landing utility and 16 rubber boats to the Philippines.
A South Korean media, Chosun Ilbo, earlier reported China is
protesting South Korea’s “warship donations” to the Philippines after it
announced its plans to donate the 1,200-ton patrol boat and landing
vessel to the country apart from the Pohang-class guided missile
corvette which it plans to give to the Philippines as a “small token”
for its sacrifices during the Korean War.
The acquisition of the fighter jets is so far considered one of the
most costly military modernization programs of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP).
Aquino is scheduled to meet Sung Yong-ha, president and Chief
Executive Officer of KAI, and ROK air force officials for the viewing of
the FA-50 aircrafts at the tarmac of Gimhae Airbase in Busan on the
second day of the summit, Dec. 12.
On regional security concerns, Coloma said the two leaders reviewed
the situation in the Korean Peninsula and in the West Philippine Sea.
Aquino reiterated the Philippines’ support for South Korea’s aims to
push for a peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the
early resumption of the six-party talks.
Aquino noted that the two countries “shared stake in maintaining unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in the region.”
Coloma also said Aquino a sought South Korea’s “continued support for
the pursuit of a peaceful, rules-based resolution of disputes in the
South China Sea.”
The Philippines established bilateral relations with South Korea on
Mar. 3, 1949 when the Philippines became the 5th country to recognize
the newly-established republic.
In September 1950, the Philippines joined the United
Nations-sanctioned and United States-led 16 nation coalition in
defending the ROK against North Korean invasion.
President Aquino is currently here for the two-day commemorative
summit between South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that kicked off in Busan Thursday as Seoul aims to
bolster its ties with neighboring bloc.
South Korea hosted the summit to boost its cooperation with ASEAN
nations in the areas of trade, business, culture, tourism, politics, and
security.
ASEAN is South Korea’s second largest trading partner and third-largest investment destination.
