Statement of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo 

Official Visit to the Joint Security Area

9 August 2024 

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It is the last day of my three-day Official Visit to the Republic of Korea. I have had fruitful discussions with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Foreign Minister Cho, as well as the Philippines’ key partners and stakeholders in the Republic of Korea.

As I am in the Joint Security Area, allow me first to honor the valor and bravery of the 7,420 Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Republic of Korea and the rest of the UN Sending States during the fight for the fundamental values of freedom and democracy during the Korean War. This remains the bedrock of our long-standing relations now marking 75 years. We are pleased that you have honored one of the PEFTOK Veterans at the recently held 2024 UN Participation Day.

I also wish to honor the soldiers of the United Nations Command - Joint Security Area who stand at the front line of freedom 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Thank you for your service. The Philippines recognizes the important role of the JSA and the UN Command as a key pillar for preserving peace, maintaining and overseeing the Armistice, as well as serving as a force provider in the contingencies on the Korean Peninsula to this day.

The Philippine government is cognizant that the UNC must strengthen interoperability to ensure that it effectively serves as a key platform for peace. The Philippines will continue to be an active participant in the future-forward initiatives of the UN Command, including dialogues, exchanges, and exercises.  

I am here upon the invitation of the Republic of Korea so allow me to discuss our shared values, which are manifested in our common commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, and a rules-based international order. This like-mindedness serves us in good stead as we navigate a world where threats to stability are increasing, from the Korean Peninsula.

Let me be clear: The Philippines stands with the Republic of Korea in calling for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. We have consistently maintained a strong position of peace in the Korean Peninsula. We condemn the DPRK’s intercontinental ballistic missile tests and launches, satellite launches using newly-acquired missile technology, unlawful military cooperation, and other provocative actions which are flagrant violations of UNSC sanctions and only serve to increase tensions and undermine economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the greater Indo-Pacific region. 

We urge all concerned parties to resume peaceful dialogue and continue working towards the realization of lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. The Philippines will continue to support efforts to secure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We have consistently and repeatedly called on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to commit to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea. 

We also reiterate our readiness to play a constructive role in promoting an atmosphere for peaceful dialogue through existing regional mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum. 

For more than seven decades, the Philippines has been a steadfast and engaged partner of the United Nations Command and the Republic of Korea across all pillars, with peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region at its core. We will continue to forge a future-oriented strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea to realize our shared goals of peace, prosperity, and progress. 

Thank you. 

END