Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Friday that the upcoming state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to the Philippines on March 3–4 reaffirms bilateral ties and shared goals for peace, prosperity, and regional stability.
Lee’s trip, his first to Manila since assuming office in June 2025, is expected to deepen cooperation across political, economic, defense, and cultural spheres, particularly as the Philippines prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.
Dy called the visit “a clear and welcome sign of the strength and maturity of the partnership between our two countries,” adding, “President Lee’s visit sends a strong message that we intend to move this partnership forward in a meaningful way.”
He highlighted the alliance’s historical roots, including the Philippines’ participation in the Korean War, and its evolution into a comprehensive partnership spanning defense modernization, trade, infrastructure, cultural exchange, and humanitarian cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas also welcomed the visit, noting its significance for parliamentary diplomacy and ASEAN-South Korea relations.
“It offers an opportunity to deepen ASEAN’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Korea and to advance cooperation on maritime security, digital transformation, climate action, and economic development,” she said.
Arenas praised South Korea’s support for the Philippines’ defense modernization, disaster response, infrastructure development, and trade expansion, as well as assistance to typhoon-hit communities and growing investments.
The visit is expected to open collaboration in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, green growth, maritime cooperation, and supply chain resilience, aligning with ASEAN’s forward-looking agenda.
Dy concluded, “The Philippines and the Republic of Korea have built a partnership that is forward-looking and grounded in mutual respect. We are confident that this visit will further strengthen that foundation and open new opportunities for both our peoples.”