By Prashanth Parameswaran
Defense ministers advance defense cooperation following bilateral meeting.
South Korea and the Philippines have agreed to deepen their military ties following talks by their defense ministers, media outlets reported Monday.
As I have written previously, Seoul and Manila have recently been deepening their ties, particularly in the defense realm, as the Philippines looks to modernize its military in part to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. In December 2014, on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III had suggested that the two countries form a “comprehensive strategic partnership” (See: “Philippines, South Korea Eye Stronger Partnership Amid Chinese Protests”).
This week, South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo paid a two-day visit to the Philippines, where he held talks with his Filipino counterpart, Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
Read the full story at The Diplomat