SEOUL, March 03 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Manila on Tuesday afternoon for a state visit to the Philippines. The trip coincides with the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Lee is scheduled to hold a summit with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., followed by a joint press announcement and a state dinner. This is the second meeting between the two leaders since they met approximately four months ago during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju last October.
The two presidents are expected to discuss ways to expand future-oriented economic cooperation. Presidential officials said they anticipate new partnerships in sectors such as nuclear power, shipbuilding, and critical minerals.
The visit also includes events focused on the shared history of the two nations. The Philippines deployed more troops to the Korean War than any other Asian country, and several stops on the itinerary are dedicated to honoring that service.
Before the summit, President Lee visited the monument of Jose Rizal, the Filipino independence activist, to lay a wreath. On March 4, the second day of the visit, he will visit the Libingan ng mga Bayani, or the Cemetery of Heroes, to lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial and meet with surviving veterans and their families.
President Lee will end his visit by attending a business forum with South Korean and Filipino executives. He is also scheduled to hold a luncheon with members of the South Korean community before concluding his four-day Southeast Asian tour.
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