President Lee Arrives in Manila, Philippines, Receives Lei Welcome and Begins State Visit

Seoul and Manila (Republic of the Philippines) – By Seong Seok-woo and Choi Jong-geun, The Financial NewsSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived at Villamor Air Base in Manila on the 3rd, local time, where he was welcomed by officials of the Republic of the Philippines government.
President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung landed at Villamor Air Base at around 12:50 p.m. and were greeted with a red-carpet welcome ceremony.
As the honor guard and military band of the Republic of the Philippines marched with the national flags of both countries and played ceremonial music, a floral lei was placed around President Lee’s neck, while First Lady Kim received a bouquet and shook hands with the welcoming party. The presidential couple then immediately boarded their vehicle and departed the air base.
From the Philippine side, the event was attended by Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of Agriculture and minister-in-attendance of honor; Antonino Gallardo Calixto, member of the House of Representatives for the City of Pasay; Imelda Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano, mayor of the City of Pasay; Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Republic of Korea; Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, Senior Deputy for Social Welfare in the Office of the President and minister-in-attendance of honor for the First Lady; and General Edgar Torres, accompanying officer. From the Korean side, Lee Sang-hwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, and his spouse, as well as Yoon Man-young, president of the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines (UKCA Philippines), were present to receive the delegation.
President Lee will begin his official schedule for the state visit by heading directly from his arrival in Manila to the Rizal Monument, which honors leading independence activist José Rizal, to lay a wreath. He 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 meeting. A document exchange ceremony, joint press announcement, and state banquet are also planned.
On the 4th, local time, President Lee will start the second day of his visit by laying a wreath at the Korean War Monument in the Philippines at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of the Heroes) in Manila and meeting surviving Korean War veterans and their descendants. He will then attend the Korea-Philippines Business Forum to encourage business leaders from both countries, and conclude his trip with a luncheon meeting with Korean residents.

west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter