SEOUL, 03 September 2026 — The Philippine Embassy in Seoul commemorated Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo) 2026 and the tenth anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award by convening a symposium on the Award’s enduring contributions to international law, maritime governance and regional cooperation.

Held at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Hall, the “Symposium on the South China Sea Arbitration: Contributions and Challenges of the Arbitral Award” gathered more than forty participants from the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, maritime research institutions, academia and industry.

In her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez underscored the continuing significance of the Award to the Philippines and to the wider maritime community. Ambassador Fernandez noted that the Award clarified important questions concerning maritime features and entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), affirmed the sovereign rights of coastal States within their lawful maritime zones, and reinforced States’ obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment. She emphasized that the Philippines continues to give practical meaning to the Award through adherence to international law, peaceful diplomacy, environmental stewardship and cooperation with partners.

The symposium brought together leading Korean and international specialists for three sessions examining the implications of the Award, its contributions to international maritime law and dispute settlement, and prospects for post-Award maritime cooperation.

Ocean Law Research expert Dr. Kim Wonhee discussed the Award’s continuing influence on the interpretation and application of UNCLOS, including its clarification of maritime entitlements and compulsory dispute-settlement mechanisms. Dr. Constantinos Yiallourides examined the Award’s contribution to international environmental law, particularly States’ obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment.

The second session featured maritime research specialists Dr. Hoon Cho and Dr. Young Kil Park, who discussed the Award’s implications for UNCLOS dispute settlement and the interpretation of exceptions concerning military activities. The final session turned to practical cooperation and regional stability. Asan Institute Principal Fellow Dr. Lee Jaehyon and Seoul National University Visiting Professor Dr. Hanna Lee considered how strategic dialogue, maritime cooperation and confidence-building measures can complement international law in reducing the risk of incidents at sea.

Second Secretary and Consul Reisha L. Olavario moderated the first session. Professor Hyun Jung Kim of Yonsei University and Dr. Yoon Jung Choi of the Sejong Institute moderated the succeeding sessions.

Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, in his closing remarks, thanked the speakers and participants for contributing to a substantive exchange on the Award and its continuing significance to the rules-based maritime order.

The symposium forms part of the Philippine Embassy’s activities for MANAMo 2026 under the theme “Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-sama Nating Alagaan.” END 

Second Secretary and Consul Reisha L. Olavario (above photo left) moderated Session 1 of the symposium. Session speakers are Ocean Law Expert Dr. Kim Wonhee (above photo center), and Dr. Constantinos Yiallourides (above photo right), Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Seoul National University.