(Eagle News)~President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, June 4, expressed optimism about denuclearization in the Korean peninsula.
“The Philippines is hopeful that positive developments over the past several months will continue and contribute positively toward the goal of denuclearization in [the] Korean peninsula,” Duterte said after bilateral talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-In in the Blue House in Seoul.
He was apparently referring to the Inter-Korea Summit on April 27, which saw the two Korean leaders, Moon and Kim Jong Un of the North, committing to a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, among others.
The two leaders met again on May 26 to discuss the conduct of a US-North Korea summit.
According to Duterte, “as responsible members of the community of nations, the Philippines and South Korea will continue supporting each other in regional and in the international fora.”
He said for instance, “we discussed strengthening collaboration in defense and security to counter terrorism, transnational crime and crimes at sea.”
The welfare of each side’s workers abroad was also discussed.
“Our two countries will further strengthen our cooperation and that goes beyond the Peninsula to uphold peace in the region,” Moon said.