Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is seeking to expand the country’s defense cooperation with South Korea.

Teodoro expressed intent for such during the introductory call of Republic of Korea (ROK) Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa last August 17 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“The Secretary also recognized the opportunity to diversify defense cooperation with the ROK, which has been among the Philippines' largest partners in terms of defense materiel and logistics,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said on Friday, Aug. 18.

The DND said that Manila and Seoul have an enduring friendship and cooperation across various fields and concerns.

Seoul has assisted Manila in addressing various issues on internal security, natural calamities, and capacity-building efforts for the military.

The DND said that expanding the country’s defense ties with South Korea will help realize its self-reliant defense posture (SRDP) program as Seoul is among Manila’s largest partners in terms of defense materiel and logistics.

Meanwhile, Teodoro and Lee also discussed the upcoming visit to the Philippines of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol this year or early next year in time for the 75^th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

The two officials also noted the high influx of tourists and investors from South Korea who seek to explore Mindanao.

Teodoro recalled the recent declaration of Davao Region (Region 11) as an insurgency-free region as he shared with Lee his efforts to expand this status of a secure tourism and investment-ready destination across the entire Mindanao.