Korean, Philippine leaders agree to cooperate on shipbuilding, nuclear power, AI

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, left, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. toast during a state banquet following their bilateral summit at the presidential palace in Manila on March 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

 
President Lee Jae Myung held a summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas including nuclear power, key minerals, shipbuilding and AI.  
 
The two sides signed 10 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and agreements for collaboration in areas including AI, the defense industry, digital technology, trade and investment, agriculture, transnational crime responses, intellectual property, police and cultural exchanges, the Blue House said.
 
Lee said in a joint press briefing with Marcos that the two countries agreed to strengthen substantive cooperation in the nuclear power sector.
 

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The Korean president called to strengthen energy cooperation building on a past joint feasibility study of the Bataan nuclear power plant in the Philippines, completed in 1986 but never activated due to safety concerns in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and on an MOU on the construction of a new nuclear facility. Facing a power shortage, the Philippines plans to resume construction this year and operate it in 2032.
 
Lee said that the two sides agreed to further expand substantive cooperation in key minerals and diversify supply chains. The Philippines is the world's second-largest producer of nickel, a key raw material in rechargeable batteries.  
 
The Philippines has been modernizing its military and has purchased Korean arms, including FA-50 light combat aircraft and armored vehicles.
 
"Our two countries will become valuable partners who will firmly navigate these turbulent times of geopolitical uncertainty and global technological competition," Lee said during the bilateral summit.
 
"While the geographical distance between our two countries is close, the emotional distance between our people is even closer."
 
The two countries have recently been keen on expanding cooperation beyond existing areas, such as defense and infrastructure, to include future cutting-edge industries, such as AI, culture, digitalization, environmentally friendly energy and shipbuilding.
 
"Building on our partnership over the past 77 years, we are now at the threshold of expanding our horizons of cooperation," Lee added. His two-day state visit to Manila comes as the two countries celebrate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations.  
 

President Lee Jae Myung, right, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. review the honor hard during a welcoming ceremony at Malacanan Palace on March 3 ahead of their bilateral summit. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Ahead of the summit, Lee visited the Rizal Monument in Manila as his first official activity. The memorial honors the Filipino national hero José Rizal (1861-1896), who advocated for the country's independence during Spanish colonial rule.  
 
During this visit, Lee received the "Key to the City of Manila," a ceremonial item presented to dignitaries by the city.  
 
Marcos and his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, received Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung in a welcoming ceremony, comprising a 21-gun salute, at the Malacañán Palace on Tuesday afternoon. The presidents reviewed the honor guard.  
 
During the summit, Lee highlighted the "deep historical ties and strong friendship" between the two countries, noting that the future of the bilateral cooperation is "very bright."
 
The Philippines sent the first and largest contingent of 7,420 troops to support South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.  
 

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, left, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shake hands ahead of a bilateral summit at the presidential palace in Manila on March 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The two leaders later held summit talks, followed by an MOU signing ceremony and a joint press briefing.
 
Lee and Marcos held their first talks on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit in Korea in October last year.
 
"I heard that 'kaibigan' is the Tagalog word for friend, embodying a companion walking together toward the future," Lee said in his address at the state banquet with Marcos. "As the kaibigan of the Philippines, Korea will be its closest and most reliable partner."
 
Marcos in turn noted that after the two countries elevated relations to a strategic partnership in 2024, the foundation for cooperation has been strengthened in various fields such as defense, maritime affairs, economy and people-to-people exchanges. He called to maximize the potential of the Korea-Philippines FTA to expand trade and investment.
 
During the state banquet, Lee presented a handcrafted gold turtle ship model to Marcos.  
 
The model is inspired by the armored warship used during Admiral Yi Sun-shin's naval victories against Japanese forces in the late 16th century during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910).  
 

From left, a Korean Air Force flight jacket, a golden turtle ship model and gold norigae (traditional Korean accessory) gifted by President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife on March 3. [BLUE HOUSE]

"The turtle ship symbolizes the history and technological prowess of the Korean shipbuilding industry, which is leading globally, and is intended to strengthen defense cooperation between our two countries," the Blue House said in a statement.  
 
Lee also presented Marcos with a Korean Air Force pilot's flight jacket with a "3377" badge on the right arm. The number commemorates the date Korea and the Philippines forged diplomatic ties: March 3, 1949.  
 
The Blue House said the gift is a nod to Marcos's childhood dream of becoming a pilot and his love for the fighter pilot film "Top Gun" (1986).
 
The gift for the Philippine first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos included a gold norigae (traditional Korean accessory) made of silk threads and decorated with jade, amber and coral, as well as Korean cosmetics in a moon jar.
 

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]