What Happened
Tensions Rise Over South China Sea Dispute at International Gathering
At the 2026 Seoul Defense Dialogue, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. sharply criticized China over its actions in the South China Sea, accusing the country of using hostility and unchecked power. Teodoro emphasized the need to uphold international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The criticism came during a forum intended to promote dialogue and security cooperation among officials and experts from dozens of countries. The event was hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and was reported by The Korea Herald.