Seoul: Senior defense officials from South Korea and the Philippines convened in Seoul to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration in the defense and arms industry sectors, as stated by the defense ministry. Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and his Philippine counterpart, Irineo Cruz Espino, engaged in discussions focusing on the regional security environment and potential expansion of cooperation through joint training initiatives and personnel exchanges.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed gratitude towards Espino for the Philippines' decision to procure 12 South Korean FA-50 light attack fighters. He also sought support for South Korean defense firms aiming to participate in the Philippines' military modernization projects. Espino acknowledged the role of South Korean weapons systems in modernizing the Philippine military and agreed to pursue mutually advantageous partnerships within the arms industry.
The meeting on Monday followed a recent interaction between the defense chiefs of the two nations during a security forum hosted by Seoul's defense ministry. During the forum, both sides committed to broadening bilateral defense cooperation under the strategic partnership framework established the previous year.