Philippine defense chief says South Korea reliable partner for defense modernization

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday stressed South Korea as a defense industry partner, as Manila strengthens defense ties with Seoul through co-production, joint shipbuilding and broader industrial cooperation.

“The most important thing is that our countries are strategically aligned, which is why we have confidence in the Republic of Korea as a reliable partner for our defense modernization,” Teodoro said.

He pointed to the quality, affordability and after-sales support of Korean defense equipment and called for greater defense resilience as Manila reshapes its armed forces to address emerging security threats.

“Because in order to enforce maritime rights, you need to have robust armed forces,” he said.

Teodoro is in Seoul for the Seoul Defense Dialogue, an annual security forum hosted by South Korea’s Defense Ministry that brought together about 1,000 officials and experts from 67 countries and international organizations this year.

He held separate talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on bilateral defense cooperation and regional security on Monday.

South Korea has become a major defense supplier to the Philippines, which has acquired Korean-made FA-50 light combat aircraft and warships. Manila has accelerated military modernization amid tensions and repeated confrontations with China in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

According to Teodoro, "almost all" new frigates and corvettes in the Philippines' navy are made in Korea, and the country has ordered another 12 of the latest version of the FA-50 jets.

He said another vessel was expected to be launched in October, but stressed that the relationship should move beyond procurement toward co-production.

“We are also talking about joint shipbuilding capabilities in the Philippines, where Korea has a foothold,” he said.

Teodoro said a logistical supply ship for the Philippine Navy was among the first projects being discussed for co-production.

He described co-production as the next stage of defense cooperation, alongside military exchanges in training, confidence-building and exercises.

The visit was partly aimed at laying the foundations for “sustainable, mutually advantageous defense industry cooperation” and greater supply chain resilience, according to Teodoro.

The growing defense ties highlight increasingly interconnected security concerns across Northeast and Southeast Asia, with maritime trade routes linking South Korea's economic interests to stability in the South China Sea.

Teodoro said he and Ahn discussed freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, citing the waterway as critical to Korean trade and supply chains.

He said the South China Sea connects Northeast Asia with the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and Europe.

“So keeping this open is of vital importance for world trade, actually,” he said.

China claims sovereignty over islands and other features and jurisdiction over much of the South China Sea, claims that overlap with those of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states. Teodoro said Beijing claims “90 percent” of the waterway in contravention of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Teodoro said South Korea’s significant exposure to the shipping industry made freedom of navigation on the high seas particularly important for the country.

He acknowledged, however, that South Korea faces its own security constraints because of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

“I would understand that Korea has its hands full,” he said. “Much as I would like Korea to be more assertive, I can understand why.”

Rather than direct military involvement, Teodoro said Seoul could contribute by strengthening the capabilities of countries at the forefront of protecting freedom of navigation and maritime rights.

“And that is, to me, the Philippine-South Korean relationship. It is empowering the Philippines to be an enforcer of maritime rights,” he said.

Teodoro said defense cooperation should also be backed by broader industrial ties encompassing critical minerals, co-production, energy, connectivity, communications and transport.

Asked how Seoul could strengthen cooperation with Manila while managing relations with Beijing, Teodoro said South Korea should determine its own approach.

“I believe that Korea will know best how to navigate China, and I'm in no position to tell Korea how to deal with China,” he said.

But he was more direct about Manila’s position.

“To my mind, we do not offend China at all. It is its misbehavior in the international arena that compels us to react,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro also defended his response to a military attache from the Chinese Embassy in Seoul during a tense exchange over the South China Sea at the Seoul Defense Dialogue a day earlier.

Forum organizers identified the attache as the sender of a note handed to Teodoro during the session.

The note challenged a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and described the award as “illegal, null and void.” After reading it, Teodoro responded: “That’s your claim.”

The 2016 tribunal, ruling in a case brought by the Philippines under UNCLOS, found no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources in areas beyond the maritime entitlements provided under the convention. Beijing has rejected the ruling.

“I would be remiss in my duties had I been passive about it because I think China has already abused its behavior several times. So it should be called out,” Teodoro told The Korea Herald.

“I'm no diplomat. But I think I was quite diplomatic with my words for a defense secretary,” he said.