PH, South Korea reaffirm defense ties, commitment to regional peace
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. (middle), receives Lt. Col. Cho Hyunhul (left) and Lt. Col. Kim Jaisuk (right), the incoming and outgoing defense attachés of South Korea to the Philippines, during their courtesy visit at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
As regional tensions simmer in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and South Korea reiterated their strong defense partnership and mutual commitment to regional peace and stability.
AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. received Lieutenant Colonel Cho Hyunhul, the incoming defense attache of South Korea to the Philippines, during a courtesy visit at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, July 28.
Cho will replace Lt. Col. Kim Jaisuk, who has been serving at her post since 2022.
During their meeting, Brawner welcomed Cho and affirmed the AFP’s full support and commitment to further enhance the defense collaboration of the two countries.
The military chief also thanked Kim for her valuable contributions in strengthening the military cooperation between Manila and Seoul throughout her tour of duty.
The meeting, which followed traditional diplomatic protocols, underscored a broader strategic message, which emphasizes that both nations are keen on bolstering regional security and maritime stability amid China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the WPS.
“The meeting highlighted the enduring defense ties and mutual commitment to regional peace and security between the Philippines and South Korea,” the AFP said.
“This courtesy call reinforces the enduring partnership and shared values between the two nations’ armed forces,” it added.
The AFP and Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces have long shared a robust partnership marked by regular defense dialogues, joint training exercises, capability-building programs, and humanitarian assistance.
However, the longstanding ties may take on renewed urgency as the Philippines confronts mounting maritime threats due to its territorial conflict with China.
South Korea, while not a claimant in the South China Sea, has been vocal in supporting freedom of navigation and overflight, aligning with the Philippines and other like-minded nations pushing back against unilateral coercive actions in disputed waters.