A spokesperson for the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs told DAILY TRIBUNE in an interview in Seoul that South Korea aims to further strengthen its military alliance with the Philippines.  

“We provide warships and aircraft to the Philippines to strengthen the national defense. This is part of our efforts to strengthen the military alliance between South Korea and the Philippines,” the spokesperson said. 

The Ministry also revealed plans for a veterans hospital in the Philippines in the “near future.”

(HHI) is constructing two corvettes ordered by the Philippine Navy. The first corvette is expected to be delivered by 2025, with the second following in 2026. Construction began in May. The ₱28-billion contract was signed by the Department of National Defense on 27 December 2021.

The corvettes are said to be more heavily armed than the Jose Rizal-class frigates, also built by HHI and delivered in 2016. Alongside the forthcoming Wonhae-class offshore patrol vehicles, these corvettes aim to enhance the Philippines' naval defense capabilities.

The Philippines and South Korea are also celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. In 1950, the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) became the eighth UNC ground combat unit to participate in the Korean War.