President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. successfully advanced the Philippines’ key strategic priorities, securing substantial commitments from South Korea’s top conglomerates in defense modernization, clean energy development, and high-technology manufacturing during targeted one-on-one meetings on the sidelines of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Busan.
The President met with shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean to discuss its comprehensive proposal supporting the Philippine Navy’s submarine program. The proposal includes the construction of a dedicated submarine base, the establishment of a local Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center, and the training of Filipino naval personnel using advanced simulators.
Hanwha Ocean executives detailed plans for the deployment of KSS-III PN submarines, which feature modern sonar and combat systems, alongside lithium-ion batteries for extended underwater endurance. Crucially, the plan involves significant technology transfer and partnerships with local industries, directly boosting the Philippines’ goal of achieving a self-reliant defense capability.
In the energy sector, President Marcos held discussions with executives from the DL Group. The conglomerate’s subsidiary, DL E&C, is actively pursuing a partnership with Meralco to develop Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects in the Philippines.
SMRs represent a compact and safe form of nuclear technology designed to produce clean, stable energy, requiring less land and shorter construction periods compared to traditional power facilities. This initiative aligns with the administration’s drive to diversify the nation’s energy mix and enhance energy security.
The President also met with South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (SEMCO), where he witnessed the signing of a Supplemental Agreement between the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corporation (SEMPHIL).
The agreement underscores the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a competitive, investor-friendly environment for high-technology industries. SEMCO executives detailed their planned PhP50.7 billion expansion of manufacturing operations in Calamba, Laguna. This massive project is expected to generate over 3,000 new high-technology jobs for Filipino engineers and technicians, significantly strengthening the Philippines’ role in the global electronics and electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and supporting the President’s vision of transforming the nation into a regional manufacturing and innovation hub.
“These partnerships are critical steps toward a future-proof Philippines,” President Marcos stated. “The commitments secured today—from modernizing our defense and ensuring stable, clean energy through SMRs, to generating thousands of high-tech jobs—solidify our position as a dynamic regional hub for investment and innovation. We are strengthening our nation by building strong, strategic alliances.”
