November 1, 2025
Seoul, South Korea — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. extended an invitation to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to visit the Philippines during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit held in South Korea.
President Marcos emphasized that a visit from President Lee would help strengthen the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and South Korea, as well as promote a rules-based international order aimed at ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
“I conveyed our commitment to deepening cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea, particularly in the areas of security, trade, and economic growth,” Marcos said.
In response, President Lee expressed his appreciation and said he would consider visiting the Philippines in the near future.
President Lee also acknowledged the Philippines’ significant contribution during the Korean War, where 7,420 Filipino soldiers under the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) fought alongside South Korean troops in defense of democracy and freedom.
The meeting between the two leaders underscored the enduring friendship between Manila and Seoul and opened discussions for enhanced collaboration in defense, agriculture, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.