The Philippine government called for “peace and stability” in the Korean peninsula and condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or North Korea for its ballistic missile tests and launches.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo shakes hands with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during their meeting at the Seoul Government Complex. (Photo from Sec. Manalo via X post)

“Let me be clear the Philippines stands with the Republic of Korea in calling for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. We have consistently maintained the strong position of peace in the Korean Peninsula,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a video message posted by the DFA on its social media accounts.

The official was in South Korea, where he met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Manalo was in South Korea from Aug. 6 to 9.

In the same video message, Manalo condemned North Korea for its “intercontinental ballistic missile tests and launches, satellite launches using newly acquired missile technology, unlawful military cooperation and other provocative actions which are flagrant violations of UN (United Nations) Security Council sanctions.”

He said these actions “only serve increased tensions and undermine economic progress, peace and stability in the Korea Peninsula and the wider Indo-Pacific Region.”

Earlier this week, reports said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the delivery of 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers to frontline troopers, which he claimed will be sent to its border with South Korea.

Manalo also visited the Joint Security Area, the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face.

(Photo from Sec. Manalo/X)

“I also wish to honor the soldiers of the United Nations Command Joint Security Area who stand at the frontline of freedom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, thank you for your service,” the DFA chief said.

He added that the Philippines recognizes the important role of the JSA and the UN Command “as a key pillar for preserving peace” and “serving as a force provider to the contingencies on the Korean Peninsula up to this day.”

In an earlier post on X (formerly Twitter), the secretary also remembered the “Filipino soldiers who fought and died side-by-side w/ their Korean brothers more than 7 decades ago.”

“The bravery and sacrifice of #PEFTOK remains today a touchstone of the enduring (Philippines-South Korea) friendship,” he added.

This was also mentioned in his meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han, who Manalo said “recalled our enduring history, incl(uding) PH's standing as the 1st Asian nation to formally recognize the ROK, & the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who served w/ PEFTOK during the Korean War.”

“We highlighted the bright future of our relations, w/c we seek to elevate to a Strategic Partnership. We affirmed our shared goal of upholding the rules-based order, including in the South China Sea, and our commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region,” he furthered.

In a separate X post, the DFA chief said his “first visit” to South Korea as the country’s foreign secretary “came at a most auspicious time” as the two nations mark the 75th year of their diplomatic ties.

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (Photo courtesy of Sec. Manalo)

He described South Korea as “one of PH's most imp(ortan)t partners in the region across a broad array of issues,” which he discussed with his foreign ministry counterpart.

With Cho, Manalo shared discussions “about elevating our partnership to new levels.”

“We had fruitful exchanges on defense, trade, investment and people-to-people ties, among others, while also reaffirming our independent foreign policies and common vision for peace & stability in the region & the world,” he wrote on X.

Before his visit to South Korea, the DFA chief was in Mongolia from Aug. 4 to 6.