Lee visits Philippines for 77th anniversary

Mar 03, 2026, 10:11 am

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President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung depart aboard Air Force One from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on March 1 for state visits to Singapore and the Philippines. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung began a state visit to the Philippines as part of his ASEAN tour, marking the 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Lee is scheduled to hold both small-group and expanded summit talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace in Manila.

According to the presidential office, the leaders will discuss expanding cooperation in defense, infrastructure and trade, as well as in strategic industries such as nuclear power, shipbuilding, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The two sides are reportedly coordinating the adoption of related cooperation documents.

The summit may also include an exchange of views on the Middle East situation, including ongoing military clashes involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Following the talks, the leaders are expected to hold a document signing ceremony and joint press conference, followed by a state banquet.

The visit coincides with the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Philippines. Discussions are also expected to cover the implementation of the “CSP Vision” introduced at last year’s Korea-ASEAN summit. The initiative — built around the themes of Contributor, Springboard and Partner — outlines Seoul’s broader diplomatic strategy toward ASEAN.

On March 4, Lee is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial Monument at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Manila and meet surviving veterans and their families. He will also attend a Korea-Philippines business forum to encourage bilateral economic cooperation and hold a luncheon meeting with members of the Korean community in the Philippines.

Observers say the visit underscores Seoul’s effort to deepen strategic and economic engagement with Southeast Asia amid evolving regional and global challenges.

#Lee Jae-myung #Ferdinand Marcos Jr. #Philippines state visit #Korea Philippines relations