Strategic partnership eyed amid sea row

BUSAN– The Philippines aims to have a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with South Korea.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Aquino conveyed the Philippine intention during his bilateral meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye yesterday.

“He 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,” he said.

Coloma said Park had affirmed South Korea’s defense cooperation agreement with the Philippines, one of its allies during the 1950-53 Korean War.

She also cited the Philippines’ acquisition of equipment from South Korean suppliers, including 12 FA-50 jets for the Air Force, he added.

Coloma said Aquino and Park “reviewed the situation” in the Korean peninsula and in the South China Sea during their bilateral meeting.

“He (Aquino) noted the two countries’ shared stake in maintaining unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in the region and sought South Korea’s continued support for the pursuit of a peaceful, rules-based resolution of disputes in the South China Sea,” he said.

“President Aquino reiterated the Philippines’ support for efforts on the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the early resumption of the Six-Party talks.” 

The Six-Party talks aim to end North Korea’s nuclear program through negotiations that involve the United States, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and North Korea.

Aquino is on a two-day visit to Busan, South Korea to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea commemorative summit.

Last March, the Philippines and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract for the supply of lead-in fighter trainer jets worth P18.9 billion, the biggest item in the military’s modernization program.

The project seeks to boost the territorial defense capabilities of the Philippine military, widely regarded as one of the weakest in the region.

The delivery of the jets is expected to be completed by 2017. Aquino is scheduled to inspect the FA-50 jets with KAI officials at the Gimhae Air Base today.

South Korea will also provide the Philippines a Pohang-class patrol corvette warship, a landing craft utility and 16 rubber boats.