SEOUL, 05 June 2022 - Philippine National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, ROK Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, during his Official visit to the Republic of Korea at the ROK Ministry of National Defense on 03 June 2022.

The two Ministers exchanged views on Philippines-ROK bilateral defense cooperation as well as the situation in the South China Sea (SCS) and Korean Peninsula. Secretary Lorenzana also expressed the Philippines' support for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK.

On bilateral defense relations, the Ministers acknowledged the close ties between the Philippines and ROK defense and military establishments, particularly in the area of defense industry and logistics cooperation to which Minister Lee emphasized that ROK will continuously support the AFP capability-upgrade program. Secretary Lorenzana noted the bilateral defense relations between the Philippines and ROK have continued to flourish, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have established dialogue platforms at the defense and major defense service-levels.

ROK also committed to strengthening communication through active regular military exchanges, and looked forward to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps' first participation in the Philippines-led annual KAMANDAG exercise to kick off in October 2022.Both countries will have a presence at the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) this month.

Minister Lee expressed hope for continuous and expanded bilateral relations. Secretary Lorenzana again reaffirmed the DND and AFP's appreciation for ROK's support of defense modernization program and proposed that personnel exchanges should likewise be sustained. END