8 July 2026, Seoul — The Philippine Embassy in Seoul convened a high-level policy roundtable with the Plaza Project on 8 July 2026 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award. The event featured Philippine Undersecretary for Policy Leo M. Herrera-Lim and members of the Plaza Project, a network of approximately 250 senior Korean policy advisers, former government officials, legal practitioners, industry experts, and opinion leaders across seven centers who continue to inform policy discussions within the Republic of Korea.

The roundtable provided a timely platform to exchange views on international law, maritime security, ASEAN cooperation, and the evolving Philippines–Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership. Participants also recognized the South China Sea as a vital sea lane of communication underpinning regional trade, energy security, supply chains, and the Republic of Korea’s economic interests. Discussions reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In her closing remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez welcomed the Republic of Korea Government’s reaffirmation of these principles as it marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award. She likewise expressed appreciation to the Plaza Project for recognizing the Philippines–Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership as an increasingly important contributor to regional stability, prosperity, and a rules-based international order. END