PH-SOKOR RELATIONS
Marcos, Lee affirm strong PH-SoKor strategic partnership
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung over the phone on Thursday to affirm the strategic partnership between their countries. (PCO photo)
MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between their two nations, vowing to deepen cooperation in key areas such as trade, defense, and cultural exchange. The commitment was made during a phone call between the two leaders on Thursday, according to a news release from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday.
During the call, President Marcos congratulated Lee on his new administration and expressed his full support. The two leaders emphasized their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, which was officially established through a joint declaration on October 7, 2024. The declaration reflects a shared goal to enhance collaboration across political, security, economic, and socio-cultural sectors.
President Marcos also took the opportunity to thank South Korea for its ongoing support for the Philippines’ development and its advocacy for regional stability and maritime interests, consistent with international law. He also expressed his anticipation of meeting President Lee at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which South Korea will host later this year.
In turn, President Lee expressed his support for closer cooperation between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the Philippines prepares to assume the chairship of the regional bloc in 2026.
The Philippines and South Korea have a long-standing diplomatic relationship, which was established on March 3, 1949, marking 76 years of formal ties in 2025. The economic ties between the two countries are robust, with South Korea ranking as the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner in 2024. Total bilateral trade reached USD13.2 billion, with Philippine exports valued at USD3.6 billion and imports totaling USD9.6 billion.
Tourism also plays a significant role in their relationship. In 2024, South Korea was the leading source of foreign tourists to the Philippines, accounting for 26.37% of all international arrivals.
