By Diplomacy Journal Kim Ji-eun

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held a telephone conversation with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique A. Manalo to exchange views on key bilateral issues on March 8.

Minister Cho expressed his deepest sympathy for the deaths of two Filipino sailors in a missile attack by Houthi rebels on March 6, and expressed his appreciation for the exchange of letters of congratulations between the two leaders and ministers on March 3, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

In response, Minister Manalo expressed his warmest sympathies to Minister Cho, and called on the two leaders to actively promote high-level exchanges to build new partnerships worthy of the strong bilateral ties that have developed over the years and to build on them to pursue deeper future cooperation. 

To this end, the two ministers agreed to coordinate their schedules so that mutual visits can take place as soon as possible.

Cho also requested that the Philippines, as a model democracy in the region, actively participate in the upcoming 3rd Democracy Summit in Seoul. In response, Manalo thanked the Korean government for the invitation and pledged to work together to make the Summit a success.