SEOUL, March 01 (AJP)-South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Sunday for a four-day state visit to Singapore and the Philippines, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advanced industries and strategic sectors.
Lee left Seoul Air Base following his attendance at the 107th Independence Movement Day ceremony earlier in the day. He was accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung aboard the presidential aircraft.
Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae, Floor Leader Han Byung-do, and Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung were among officials who saw the presidential couple off.
In Singapore on Monday, Lee is scheduled to hold a summit and official luncheon with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Discussions are expected to center on expanding bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing and nuclear energy — sectors identified by both governments as key future growth engines.
Lee will also meet Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and attend a state banquet.
As part of the visit, he is set to participate in the “AI Connect Summit,” a forum designed to promote exchanges between Korean and Singaporean AI industry leaders and researchers.
On Tuesday, Lee will travel to Manila for talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., where discussions are expected to include economic cooperation, supply chain resilience and regional security.
The Philippines and Singapore will serve as ASEAN chair this year and next, respectively, adding strategic weight to Lee’s first Southeast Asian trip of the year.
Ahead of departure, Lee posted on X that “the Korean people hold special affection for ASEAN,” emphasizing that Korea and Southeast Asia “have grown together over many years based on deep trust and friendship.”
He expressed hope to visit all ASEAN member states in the coming years and looked ahead to meeting regional leaders again at the 2029 Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.
“Korea will always stand with ASEAN as a partner for growth and innovation, a supporter of dreams and aspirations, and a pillar of peace and stability,” Lee wrote. He also posted the message in English.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said the trip is expected to produce “tangible outcomes” in strategic cooperation areas and enhance coordination on the international stage.
Aides said Lee will continue to receive real-time briefings during the trip on developments in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The escalating situation has raised concerns over potential energy and economic impacts on Korea, particularly given the country’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil imports and major shipping routes through the region.
Lee is expected to remain closely engaged with security and economic officials while abroad, the presidential office said.
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