By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippines and South Korea are looking into having increased defense cooperation in response to regional security challenges, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the DND said the topic was discussed during a meeting between Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-Back.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2025 on Monday, the DND said.
“Both sides explored avenues to further deepen cooperation in response to common regional security challenges. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in logistics, technological exchange, defense industry cooperation, under the framework of the 2015 PH (Philippine)-ROK (Republic of Korea) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Defense,” it added.
The meeting, the DND also said, highlighted the enduring defense partnership between the Philippines and South Korea that is rooted in the shared sacrifices of Filipino soldiers during the Korean War and further reinforced by this year’s commemoration of its 75th anniversary.
The two defense officials also highlighted the importance of cultural and educational exchanges, along with people-to-people ties, as vital pillars of the bilateral relationship.
“Secretary Teodoro extended an official invitation to Minister Ahn to visit the Philippines, reaffirming Manila’s commitment to advancing defense cooperation, strengthening regional security, and sustaining strategic engagement with its long-standing partner,” the DND said.
Aside from the South Korean official, Teodoro also met with Sweden’s State Secretary to the Minister for Civil Defence, Johan Berggren, on the sidelines of SDD 2025 on Monday.
“The meeting reaffirmed the Philippines–Sweden defense partnership, building on the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Materiel. The officials explored cooperation in civil defense, crisis response, capacity building, defense education and training, as well as technology and emerging security domains,” the DND said.
During the meeting, Teodoro highlighted the importance of closer cooperation with Sweden to support the Philippines’ defense modernization and national resilience efforts.
Both sides also discussed vulnerabilities in critical underwater infrastructure and shared perspectives on the broader Indo-Pacific security environment.
“State Secretary Berggren reiterated Sweden’s commitment to strengthening defense and civil defense ties with the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of enduring partnerships in safeguarding the rules-based international order,” the DND said. (PNA)
