President Lee to Hold Summit in the Philippines on 77th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties, Eyes Cooperation in Nuclear Power and Shipbuilding

Singapore – Choi Jong-geun, Financial NewsPresident Lee Jae Myung will conclude his state visit to Singapore on March 3 and then travel to Manila in the Republic of the Philippines for a summit meeting.
Presidential National Security Office chief Wi Sung-lac said at a briefing held the previous day at the press center set up in Singapore, "President Lee will arrive in Manila on the afternoon of the 3rd and begin his official schedule by visiting the Rizal Monument to lay a wreath in honor of José Rizal, one of the Philippines' leading independence heroes."
He went on to explain, "President Lee will then attend an official welcome ceremony at Malacañang Palace with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and the first lady, followed by a small-group summit and an expanded summit, a document exchange ceremony, a joint press announcement and a state banquet."
On the morning of the 4th, President Lee is scheduled to visit the Korean War Monument in the Philippines at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of the Heroes) in Manila to lay a wreath and meet surviving Filipino veterans of the Korean War and their descendants. In the afternoon, he will attend the "Korea-Philippines Business Forum" to encourage business leaders from both countries. The visit will conclude with a luncheon meeting with members of the Korean community in the Philippines.
Wi Sung-lac stressed, "President Lee is the first state guest to visit the Republic of the Philippines this year, and because this visit takes place on March 3, a meaningful day marking the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations, it carries special significance for both countries."
He added, "Our country has developed its cooperative relationship with the Republic of the Philippines based on the historical bonds and friendship formed as our first diplomatic partner in Southeast Asia and as the first and largest Asian participant in the Korean War," and continued, "Through this visit, the two countries are expected to deepen existing cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure and defense, and expand it into future-oriented sectors including nuclear power, shipbuilding and critical minerals."
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter