Malacañang announced that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will undertake a State Visit to the Philippines from March 3 to 4 upon the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Friday, February 27, that Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will formally welcome President Lee and South Korean First Lady Kim Hea Kyung in Malacañang on March 3.
“Ito ang kauna-unahang pagbisita ni President Lee sa Pilipinas at kauna-unahang State Visit matapos maging epektibo ang Free Trade Agreement o FTA sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Republic of Korea noong December 31, 2024,” Castro noted.
The Palace emphasized that the visit coincides with the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Manila and Seoul, established in March 1949.
Marcos and Lee are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss expanded cooperation in defense, maritime collaboration, economic and development initiatives, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues and reaffirm the countries’ strategic partnership.
The visit follows Marcos’ earlier invitation to Lee during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea.
At that time, both leaders reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two nations, rooted in the Philippines’ deployment of troops during the Korean War.
President Lee described the Philippines and South Korea as “very special friends,” highlighting that South Koreans would never forget the contributions and sacrifices of Filipino soldiers.
Marcos, in turn, expressed gratitude for the deep ties between the two peoples—from standing side by side during the war to supporting one another during calamities and safeguarding the welfare of their nationals.
The leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, defense, shipbuilding, infrastructure, and the fight against transnational crimes, including scam operations.