Gyeongju, South Korea-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hopeful South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will also back Manila’s hosting of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
The chief executive invited Lee to attend the 2026 ASEAN Summit during the Philippines-Republic of Korea bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea last Friday.
‘Next year, the Philippines will chair the ASEAN summits, and I see a real opportunity for us to promote a rules-based order, a more secure and more prosperous region,’ Marcos said.
He said the Philippines and South Korea have already made steady progress in their strategic partnership, which includes a bilateral free trade agreement and also cooperation in defense and security.
South Korea was also the Philippine’s 4th top trading partner last year, when total trade between the two countries reached US$13.2 billion.
Marcos also thanked South Korea for sending assistance to the Philippines in times of calamities and protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos within its jurisdiction. He praised South Korea’s successful hosting of the latest APEC Summit.
During his chairmanship of the ASEAN, Marcos said he wants to ‘build a more connected, competitive, and sustainable regional economy-driven by deeper cooperation and shared growth.’
Lee said he considers the Philippines as a ‘special friend’ of South Korea after it sent troops during the Korean War.
‘So the people of Korea will never forget the contributions and dedication and sacrifices made by the Philippines,’ he said.
‘Our two countries have maintained a very close relationship of cooperation and support, and we have mutually helped each other out over the years. But I hope that through your visit, we will be able to take that to another level and have much closer cooperation,’ he added.
The Korean leader said he will see if he can find the time to attend the ASEAN Summit next year.