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Lee sets off for Singapore, Philippines on Southeast Asia cooperation trip

Published: 01 Mar. 2026, 14:11 Updated: 01 Mar. 2026, 16:17

President Lee Jae Myung, right, and first lady Kim Hea Kyung wave as they depart for state visits to Singapore and the Philippines from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi on March 1. [NEWS1]

President Lee Jae Myung was set to depart for Singapore on Sunday for a two-nation swing that also includes a visit to the Philippines, with plans to discuss expanding cooperation with both Southeast Asian nations.

Lee will make a three-day state visit to Singapore for summit talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday, their second summit in four months after they last met during Wong's visit to Korea for the APEC summit last year, where they upgraded bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

During the talks, Lee and Wong are expected to discuss ways to expand trade, investment and infrastructure, as well as to broaden collaboration in promising sectors such as AI and nuclear energy, said Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

Lee is also scheduled to meet with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the ceremonial head of state, and attend AI Connect, a forum involving business leaders and tech entrepreneurs from both countries, on Monday.
On Tuesday, Lee will fly to Manila for a two-day state visit and hold a summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the same day.

It will also mark Lee's second summit with Marcos after their first meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in late October last year.

The talks are expected to explore ways to deepen existing cooperation in the defense industry, infrastructure and trade, while also focusing on emerging sectors in common including nuclear power, shipbuilding, critical minerals and AI, Kang said.

The Blue House expressed hope that Lee's trip will promote coordination with key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on the international stage and help pave the way for deeper ties with the regional bloc.

It marks Lee's second trip to Southeast Asia. His first was last October when he attended the Asean summit in Malaysia.

During that trip, Lee announced Seoul's “CSP” vision, outlining plans to serve as a “contributor” to dreams and hope among youth in Asean nations, a “springboard” for growth and innovation and a “partner” for peace and stability.

Yonhap