PBBM, S. Korean leader to tackle defense, maritime, economic ties

MANILA, February 28 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea in key areas, including defense, maritime and economic fields, Malacañang announced.

Lee will embark on a state visit to the Philippines from March 3 and 4 upon Marcos’ invitation. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will welcome Lee at Malacañan Palace in Manila on March 3. “Nakatakdang magkaroon ng bilateral meeting ang mga lider upang mapag-usapan ang iba’t ibang kooperasyon ng dalawang bansa,” Castro said. “Kabilang dito ang kooperasyon sa defense, maritime, economic and development fields, at people-to-people ties,” she added.

Marcos and Lee are also expected to exchange views on regional matters and various international issues concerning the two nations, Castro said. This will be Lee’s first visit to the Philippines, and his first state visit since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the Republic of South Korea took effect on Dec. 31, 2024.

Lee’s visit also coincides with the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in March 1949. Marcos and Lee first met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea in October 2025. The two leaders also had a phone call in Aug. 14, 2025 to reaffirm the two countries’ strategic partnership.

Source: pna.gov.ph