President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have pledged to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and South Korea, reaffirming their nations’ deep historical ties and shared commitment to defense, trade, and regional security.
During their bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Korea, both leaders underscored the importance of maintaining close cooperation built on decades of mutual trust and solidarity.
President Lee opened the discussion with a heartfelt tribute to the Philippines’ role in the Korean War, saying that Seoul will always honor the sacrifice of Filipino soldiers who fought for South Korea’s freedom.
“When we were in a national crisis, the Philippines sent its military to aid us,” Lee said through a translator.
“The people of Korea will never forget the contributions and sacrifices made by the Philippines. Our two countries have maintained a very close relationship of cooperation and support, and I hope that through your visit, we will be able to take that to another level,” he added.
Marcos is scheduled to visit the UN Memorial Cemetery on Sunday to pay tribute to the Filipino soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War.
In response, Marcos expressed gratitude for South Korea’s enduring friendship and highlighted the steady growth of their strategic partnership.
“From fighting side-by-side during the war to providing assistance in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of our nationals — we have reached several milestones,” Marcos said.
“One of which was the bilateral free trade agreement, and also our cooperation in areas of defense and security,” he added.
The President also emphasized the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, viewing it as an opportunity to promote a rules-based and stable Indo-Pacific region.
“Next year, the Philippines will chair the ASEAN summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order, a more secure and more prosperous region,” Marcos stated, adding that he had invited President Lee to visit the Philippines soon.
President Lee welcomed the invitation and said he looks forward to visiting the country in the near future.