"ROK President Lee Jae-myung called for closer strategic cooperation between Seoul and Manila amid shifting geopolitical tensions on Wednesday, as he was formally welcomed by counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr at Malacanang Palace in Manila. “If President Marcos and I gather our wisdom, and our two peoples come together in pursuit of common goals. Our two countries will become valuable partners in overcoming these turbulent times full of geopolitical uncertainty and global technological competition,” Lee said. During the meeting, the two sides signed 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) covering trade, digitalisation, defence, nuclear energy and critical minerals.  “Building on the strong foundation of 77 years of partnership, we are on the verge of further expanding our horizons for cooperation. AI and digital, echo-friendly energy, shipbuilding, and cultural industry. These are all promising sectors where we can work together,” Lee stated. The Philippine President echoed his ‘strategic partnership’ sentiment, stressing the long-lasting bond between the two countries ‘forged during the Korean War’. “Our closer defence, security, and maritime cooperation reflects our mutual trust. Our free trade agreement has brought about new opportunities for trade and investment [...] and Filipino is also have embraced very much Korean culture, starting with K-pop, K-drama, and, of course, our shared values,” Marcos said. Lee’s two-day state visit to the Philippines coincides with the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the ROK in March 1949."