By Prashanth Parameswaran

December 17, 2014

"Last Thursday, Philippine president Benigno Aquino III suggested to his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye that the two countries should form a "comprehensive strategic partnership" during a bilateral meeting in Seoul on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.

Aquino's proposal is the latest step in a burgeoning partnership between the two countries as the Philippines looks to modernize its military, in part to counter China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

Philippine communications secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Aquino's partnership pitch consisted of a broader appeal to common values and shared threats and challenges, but he declined to divulge more specifics."

Read more:

http://thediplomat.com/2014/12/philippines-south-korea-eye-stronger-partnership-amid-chinese-protests/  

NISCSS does not necessarily share in or endorse the opinions of off-site commentators.