Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessment and International Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo met with Admiral LEE Jong-HO, Chief of Naval Operations of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on May 24, 2023. Admiral LEE visited the Philippines as a high-level guest of the Philippine Navy (PN).
Noting the robust defense relations between the two countries, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing naval cooperation. Assistant Secretary Lorenzo emphasized that it is “high time” to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, particularly on maritime security. Both officials also agreed that as maritime nations, it is important to continuously and jointly develop maritime domain awareness between the two defense establishments.
Relatedly, Assistant Secretary Lorenzo expressed appreciation for ROK’s continuous support to the capability-upgrade program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The ROK is one of the active participants of the AFP Modernization program from which the Philippines procured FA-50s, frigates, Pohang-class corvettes, among others.
