Korean embassy clarifies issue on VFA between SoKor and PH

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines issues a statement clarifying the recent news reporting in the press about a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between South Korea and the Philippines.

In the communiqué sent to the media, the embassy stated that Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa’s sideline interview on September 20, at the Stratbase ADRi seminar on “Enhancing Indo-Pacific Security: Philippines-Republic of Korea Cooperation Strategies” was taken out of context, and does not accurately reflect the reality.

During the first session of the seminar, there were various ideas floated by the experts on ways for future maritime cooperation, including a possibility of Philippine- Korea VFA as one of the options to explore further by the experts from both sides.

In a short interview with the press following the first session, while referring to the above ideas mentioned by the experts, Amb. Lee said that there have been. discussions in Korea-to mean that the topic has been explored by experts widely- but so far as the relevant authorities are concerned, there has not been any progress or details that he can speak of.

We hope that news articles can more accurately reflect the truth as mentioned above, and if there has been any miscommunication on the part of the Embassy, we hope that it can be corrected by this clarification.
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