Phnom Penh, Cambodia
November 12, 2022

“It’s time to work to elevate our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea as the two (2) leaders held a bilateral meeting at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel in Cambodia.

Both leaders made the decision to elevate relations to a new level that will enhance security, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

President Marcos Jr. received praise from the South Korean President for his impressive speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York last September.

On the other hand, the Philippine Chief Executive expressed his appreciation to the “Republic of Korea Solidarity Initiative” which puts maritime security as one of the most important cooperation areas in the Philippines-Republic of Korea relations. Other areas include science and technology, and fisheries cooperation.

He also relayed to President Yoon Suk Yeol that the Philippines fully supports the Republic of Korea’s efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, expressing his concern over the continuous missile testing of North Korea.

Bilateral relations between the two (2) countries started on 3 March 1949 when the Philippines became the fifth country to recognize the Republic of Korea, which was inaugurated on 15 August 1948.