Philippine Defense Minister Confronts China Over South China Sea Claims at Seoul Forum
During the Seoul Defense Dialogue, Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro publicly criticized China's actions in the South China Sea. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and called out countries that do not comply, a remark widely interpreted as directed at China. The situation escalated when an individual, later identified as a Chinese defense attaché, passed a note to Teodoro during his speech. The note asserted that the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, which favored the Philippines and invalidated China's historical claims in the South China Sea, was 'illegal and void.' Teodoro read the note aloud and responded sharply, stating that China's position amounted to 'throwing UNCLOS on the floor and trampling on it' and that China's rejection of the ruling was because 'you lost.' He also criticized the lack of basic courtesy shown to South Korea as the host nation. 
