South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa said that Seoul and Manila are now standing as “a beacon of stability” as proven by their commitment to maintaining peace despite tensions both in the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea.

At the celebration of the National Day of Korea on Wednesday night, Oct. 30, Lee noted that tensions in the region are now “palpable as the waves of the South China Sea grow ever more turbulent.”

There are also challenges in the Korean Peninsula, he said, after North Korea positioned itself “in the wrong side of history” and tagged South Korea as a hostile state.

But “despite these tensions, the partnership between Korea and the Philippines stands as a beacon of stability,” according to Lee.

South Korea has been supporting the Philippines in asserting its rights based on international law over the South China Sea, but has also called for dialogue among concerned parties to ensure peace and stability.

On the other hand, the Philippines has always supported the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as North Korea continues launching missiles.

In fact, during the recent meetings between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and President Marcos, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to have a peaceful, secure, and denuclearized Korean Peninsula.

“The Philippines’ support of Korea’s August 15 Unification Doctrine underscores this commitment. In expressing mutual concern over North Korea’s trajectory, both leaders showed that Korea and the Philippines are on the same course, navigating towards a future rooted in peace and stability,” he said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations Ma. Theresa Lazaro shared the same sentiment that Seoul and Manila set an example of diplomacy.

This was because the shared dedication of the two nations to diplomacy, dialogue and rule of law “provide a solid foundation for facing regional and global challenges together, be it on the Korean peninsula, the South China Sea or other regions of the world.”

“Our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes is unwavering as close neighbors, our vibrant people-to-people ties invigorate the warm friendship with a between our two nations,” Lazaro said.