Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/philippines-korea-yoon-marcos-security-strategic-07ff92e4f6030232739142a1829b2acb
Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean President, visited the Philippines announcing their partnership which included broader defense and security cooperation especially to be prepared against hostile rival nations the two both face. The South Korean President also assured to aid in the modernization of the Philippines’ military. Additionally, the two U.S. treaty allies discussed issues concerning their region including tensions on the Korean peninsula and conflicts in the South China Sea. In the past months, Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships have repeatedly clashed in the disputed waters of the South China Sea; China being very aggressive in these conflicts, injuring several Filipinos and damaging boats. The two countries make their opinion clear that stability in the South China Sea is desired and that North Korea’s nuclear programs and provocations will not be tolerated.
South Korea and the Philippines are most likely seeking out this partnership in order to be more protected against aggressive countries in/near their region such as China, North Korea, and even possibly Russia. The cooperation between the two states could also bring more stability to the region due to the share of resources, joint military growth/exercises, and intelligence sharing. It could also deter China or North Korea from attacking them because now they have the support of each other. With South Korea and the U.S. as allies, the Philippines can have more leverage in security discussions with China as well. South Korea and the Philippines joining together could also motivate other nations in the region to form or strengthen their own partnerships which could help with the balancing of power in Southeast Asia.
China and North Korea would likely disapprove of this (especially military) partnership seeing it as a threat to their own security. The two might view this as the U.S., again, influencing the affairs of Southeast Asia which would enrage them ever more, making them see it as an indirect challenge. The U.S. would approve of the partnership, hoping it will weaken China’s influence and mitigate North Korean aggression. The U.S. might seek to increase cooperation with the two countries as a show of support. Both the Philippines and South Korea are key players in controlling important sea passages and ensuring the free travel of goods, oil, and resources causing a more global competition. Therefore the partnership of the two countries was very strategically important and will most likely help them against challenges in the future.