President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will meet with his South Korean counterpart at the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN Summit to discuss possible free-trade cooperation between the two countries, as well as boost ties in tourism, among other areas of cooperation.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu said Friday, Nov. 4, Marcos will take the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations with President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea considering that it is a key partner of the Philippines in tourism, economy and defense and security.
"We have a very, multifaceted relationship with the Republic of Korea. So it's very important that they discuss current and pending issues between our two countries and the opportunities that we can pursue together," Espiritu said during a pre-departure briefing ahead of Marcos' trip to Cambodia for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit on October 10 to 13.
Among things that the two leaders might discuss are the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the Philippines and South Korea.
According to Espiritu, South Korea will be the second country "with which we will be concluding a free trade agreement after Japan."
"Aside from that, we have a very robust defense and security cooperation as you well know," he added.
Apart from the South Korean president, Marcos will also meet with the Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, who is organizing this year's summit.
"It it will be their first meeting, and first meeting as the new president of the Philippines," Espiritu said.