President Rodrigo Duterte called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Korean Peninsula during his bilateral meeting with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in on Monday.
The President also expressed support to Moon as the two Koreas have yet to resolve their 70-year conflict, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
During the summit, Southeast Asian leaders with President Moon also called for the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea disputes in accordance with international law, according to a press statement from Malacañang.
They also stressed the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint by claimants and all other states.
In a special retreat session, President Duterte, who arrived in Manila Tuesday evening, said that only dialogue, based on mutual trust and respect, can lead to a “Korea at peace with itself and without nuclear weapons.”
Duterte and Moon met at the sidelines of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, which also coincides with the 70th year of bilateral ties between the Philippines and South Korea.
The two leaders signed bilateral agreements on social security, tourism, fisheries, and education. They also agreed to elevate the relations between the two countries into a “strategic partnership.”
READ: PH, SoKor sign 4 deals, boost 70-year ties
Lorenzana said this is a “strong action on our side.”
“We support by expressing our support. We cannot do anything since we are not a nuclear power. But the fact that we support the denuclearization of Korean Peninsula is, I think, a strong action from our side,” he told reporters.
Southeast Asian leaders also welcomed Moon’s “New Southern Policy,” which aims to elevate the dialogue partnership between ASEAN and South Korea through enhanced bilateral relations.
They also adopted the Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership, which will serve as blueprint of dialogue relations for the next 30 years.
Duterte also invited Moon to the Philippines for a state visit. He also met with top Korean companies on Monday and assured them of his protection if they invest in the Philippines.
The President vowed to shield them from corruption and abuse and assured them that permits would be issued quickly. The Korean companies, in turn, promised to participate in different infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana said that the Philippines is negotiating with South Korea to purchase two brand new corvettes—the smallest class of warships—worth P25 billion, which he said could be used to patrol the Celebes Sea.
In an interview, the Defense secretary said he is hoping to conclude the negotiations by December so the warships could be delivered within Duterte’s term.
Duterte approved the Navy’s Corvette Acquisition Program in May.
The acquisition of the brand new corvettes will be through a government-to-government financing agreement, in which the Philippines could pay South Korea over a period of five to 10 years.
Hyundai Heavy Industries, a Korean-based shipbuilding company, is also expected to deliver missile-capable frigates: The BRP Jose Rizal in 2020 and BRP Antonio Luna in 2021.
READ: Duterte: ASEAN should not be made pawns in ‘geopolitics’
READ: Duterte to take ‘ASEAN Train’ to Busan
READ: Duterte, Moon to meet in Busan