By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have reaffirmed their countries’ deep strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation in defense, infrastructure, and transnational crime prevention.
Marcos and Lee held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju on Friday.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of the Korea-Philippines Strategic Partnership, which celebrated its first anniversary this year, and committed to elevate it to “a new level of cooperation and mutual support.”
Lee said it was “particularly meaningful” to welcome Marcos to Korea following their first phone conversation in August and shortly after the anniversary of the strategic partnership.
“The Republic of Korea and the Philippines are very special friends,” Lee said, recalling the Philippines’ role in aiding Korea during the Korean War.
“We have maintained a very close relationship of cooperation and support, and we have mutually helped each other over the years. I hope that through your visit, we will be able to take that to another level.”
In response, Marcos Jr. congratulated Lee on the successful hosting of the APEC Summit and expressed “deep gratitude for the deep ties that bind our two peoples—from fighting side by side during the war, to providing assistance in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of our nationals.”
The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the defense industry, shipbuilding and infrastructure development, alongside efforts to facilitate smoother operations of Korean companies in the Philippines, according to a news release by the South Korean government.
The meeting also reaffirmed the significance of the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA)—which will mark its first anniversary later this year—in boosting economic exchanges and investments.
Marcos Jr. and Lee also addressed law enforcement and security cooperation, with the South Korean leader thanking the Philippine government for supporting the establishment of a Korean Help Desk within the Philippine National Police to assist Korean nationals.
Both leaders vowed to step up joint action against transnational crimes, including online scam operations targeting citizens of both countries.
Lee, who has called for regional cooperation among ASEAN police agencies and the Korean National Police, emphasized the need for “coordinated efforts to root out organized and cyber-enabled crimes across borders.”
As the Philippines prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, Marcos Jr. said Manila would actively support efforts to promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
“Next year, the Philippines will chair the ASEAN summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order and a more secure, prosperous region,” Marcos Jr. said.
Lee, meanwhile, reaffirmed his commitment to “usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula” and welcomed the Philippines’ cooperation toward that goal.
The meeting marks the first in-person engagement between Marcos Jr. and Lee, underscoring a renewed effort to fortify bilateral ties amid shared priorities in regional security, digital transformation, and economic resilience.
