MANILA – The South China Sea dispute was not discussed during President Rodrigo Duterte’s bilateral meeting with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
In an interview during the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, Lorenzana confirmed that the matter was not discussed.
“Wala. Hindi nabanggit ‘yun,” Lorenzana said.
The Hague, in July, 2016, recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, which the Filipino called as West Philippines Sea.
China, however, refused to recognize this ruling and has built artificial islands there and has prohibited Filipino fishermen from fishing and interfered in petroleum exploration.
South Korea and China, meanwhile, are claiming ownership over the Socotra Rock, a submerged reef in the Yellow Sea which is believed to contain oil and mineral deposits.
Duterte and Moon, meanwhile, vowed to elevate the level of their countries’ relations to strategic partnership by 2020, allowing the two nations to engage in greater cooperation to achieve common prosperity.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of agreements covering education, social security, fisheries, tourism and trade during their bilateral meeting./PN
