- PH, Korea expand AI, nuclear cooperation
- 10 agreements signed across sectors
- Nuclear power targets set through 2050
The Philippines and South Korea have committed to expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), the defence industry, nuclear energy and critical minerals following summit talks between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Lee Jae Myung at Malacañang.
Lee is on a two-day state visit to the Philippines at the invitation of Marcos, after concluding his trip to Singapore. During their meeting, both leaders underscored the need to widen bilateral engagement beyond traditional trade and investment, citing shifts in the international order.
Ten agreements were signed covering defence materials procurement, veterans’ affairs, agriculture, trade and investment, intellectual property, digital cooperation, innovation, Korean language training in schools, cultural exchanges and police cooperation. Marcos said these will “sustain the momentum of the Philippines-ROK Strategic Partnership for the future.”
Also Read: South Korea, Singapore Sign Pact for Small Modular Reactors
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that seven additional memoranda of understanding in shipbuilding, nuclear power, food and medical equipment are expected to be signed during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum.
According to Lee, the two sides also agreed to advance cooperation in “promising” areas such as AI, digital technology, green energy, shipbuilding and the culture industry. In a joint press announcement, both leaders confirmed plans to expand practical collaboration in nuclear energy and critical minerals.
Lee said South Korea could be an “optimal partner” for the Philippines’ plan to incorporate nuclear power into its energy mix, referencing earlier agreements on a joint feasibility study of the long-dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and the construction of a new facility.
State-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. is currently assessing the plant’s safety and reviewing the potential deployment of small modular reactors. The Philippines aims to operationalise its first nuclear power plant by 2032 with 1,200 MW capacity, expanding to 4,800 MW by 2050.
On regional matters, Lee said, “We hope that peace and stability in the Middle East may be restored at an early date.” Marcos added, “We both recognized the growing uncertainty in geopolitical developments, which is why we agreed on the need to firmly and consistently uphold a rules-based order governed by international law, including in the maritime domain.”