Analysis Why North Korea and the Philippines view each other with mutual distrustManilla has fostered security ties with South Korea and the US even as its relationship with Pyongyang has stagnated In recent years, the Philippines and South Korea have worked to strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership. This is premised on the fact that they are sister democracies facing the same threats and challenges of an evolving Indo-Pacific region, and shared values of freedom, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law. By contrast, North Korea’s ties with the Philippines are moribund, stagnant and rife with problems. Manila and Pyongyang view each other with mutual suspicion and mistrust. On Manila’s side, this situation stems from the deep-seated belief that the DPRK © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |