South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to visit PH on March 3 to 4, 2026 — Palace

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to visit the Philippines on March 3 to 4, 2026, upon the invitation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro announced this at a press briefing on Friday.

“Ito ang kauna-unahang pagbisita ni President Lee sa Pilipinas, at kauna-unahang state visit matapos maging epektibo ang Free Trade Agreement o FTA sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Republic of South Korea noong December 31, 2024,” Castro said. 

(This is President Lee's first visit to the Philippines, and his first state visit after the Free Trade Agreement or FTA between the Philippines and the Republic of South Korea became effective on December 31, 2024.) 

Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will welcome Lee and his first lady, Kim Hea Kyung, in Malacañang Palace on March 3. 

Lee’s visit to the country will coincide with the 44th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea in March 1949. 

“Nakatakdang magkaroon ng bilateral meeting ang mga lider upang pagusapan ang iba’t ibang kooperasyon ng dalawang bansa. Kabilang dito ang kooperasyon sa defense, maritime economic and development fields, and people-to-people ties,” Castro said.

(The leaders are expected to have a bilateral meeting to discuss the cooperation between the two countries. This includes cooperation in defense, maritime economic and development fields, and people-to-people ties.) 

“Inaasahan ding magkakaroon ng palitan ng pananaw ang dalawang lider hinggil sa usapin sa rehiyon at iba’t ibang international issues bilang tugon sa masiglang ugnayan ng dalawang bansa,” she added. 

(The two leaders are also expected to have an exchange of views regarding regional issues and various international issues as part of the vigorous relations between the two countries.) 

In 2025, it could be recalled that Marcos invited Lee to visit the Philippines, saying that it would be a real opportunity for both of them “to promote a rules-based order, a more secure and more prosperous region.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News