PH, SoKor eye expanded cooperation in shipbuilding, nuclear power, AI

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

In a joint press conference with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace in Manila, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in key industries and explore new areas of growth to achieve shared prosperity. “We have agreed to further expand cooperation in new areas of growth such as shipbuilding, nuclear power, supply chain, AI, and digital,” Lee said after his bilateral meeting with Marcos. Both leaders highlighted the potential of the two nations’ collaboration in shipbuilding. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – The Philippines and South Korea on Tuesday pledged to expand cooperation in strategic sectors including shipbuilding, nuclear power, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technology, building on existing trade, infrastructure, and defense ties.

In a joint press conference with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace in Manila, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in key industries and explore new areas of growth to achieve shared prosperity.

“We have agreed to further expand cooperation in new areas of growth such as shipbuilding, nuclear power, supply chain, AI, and digital,” Lee said after his bilateral meeting with Marcos.

Both leaders highlighted the potential of the two nations’ collaboration in shipbuilding.

Lee said South Korea and the Philippines are both “shipbuilding powerhouses,” ranking second and fourth globally.

He said that through expanded cooperation, both countries aim to create synergistic effects that will boost the competitiveness of their respective shipbuilding industries.

Marcos thanked South Korea for its contributions to reviving the Philippine shipbuilding industry.

The two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear power, building on the results of the feasibility study for the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant resumption and the memorandum of understanding on new nuclear power projects.

“We will become optimal partners for nuclear power cooperation,” Lee said.

He said the two nations are also “ideal partners” in critical minerals, with South Korea providing advanced technology and the Philippines offering abundant mineral resources.

“By utilizing the MOU (memorandum of understanding) for cooperation in critical minerals signed during this visit, we will further expand substantial cooperation in critical minerals and relevant supply chains,” he added.

On the basis of the MOU on digital cooperation, the two countries have expanded bilateral science and technology cooperation to include AI and next-generation communication infrastructure, Lee said.

The South Korean leader said the partnership would accelerate the Philippines’ digital transformation and support South Korea’s vision of becoming a top-three AI power.