[On-site video+] 尹 "Close cooperation and solidarity based on strategic partnership"

[Anchor]
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is on a state visit to the Philippines, will hold a joint press conference with Philippine President Marcos after the Korea-Philippines summit.

Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines this year, various achievements are expected to further enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Let's connect to the site and listen to President Yoon's remarks.

[Yoon Suk Yeol / President]
Mr President, Mr Marcos, the people of the Philippines, nice to meet you.

To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines this year, I am very happy to make a state visit to the Philippines, a key ally of Korea in ASEAN.

The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea 75 years ago.

The 6.25 war sent the largest number of troops in Asia, and it is a grateful country that fought together to protect the freedom of the Republic of Korea.

The development of bilateral relations so far is based on the trust and solidarity made with blood.

Through this visit, I was able to confirm that the Philippines is developing dynamically under the leadership of President Marcos and that the relationship between the two countries has infinite potential for development.

Today, President Marcos and I established a "strategic partnership" between the two countries, opening a new chapter in the Korea-Philippines relationship.

I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the major achievements and agreements of today's talks.

First, the two countries agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the field of security.

Our two leaders decided to strengthen cooperation in defense, and in particular, South Korea decided to actively participate in the Philippines' third phase of the military modernization project.

In addition, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security such as maritime transnational crime response, information exchange, and search and rescue through the MOU signed today.

Secondly, President Marcos and I have decided to further promote economic cooperation between the two countries and promote substantial cooperation that will benefit the people of both countries.

To this end, the Korea-Philippines FTA signed in September last year will be implemented as soon as possible to promote trade and investment between the two countries.

The two governments signed an MOU on the Laguna Lake Ring Road and the PGN Maritime Bridge Construction Project, and decided to promote the projects using the Korea International Economic Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

These two projects are the first and second largest development cooperation projects in history based on EDCF projects with support worth $1 billion each, and our companies will play a pivotal role.

In addition, the two countries agreed to expand the participation of Korean companies with world-class experience and capabilities in various infrastructure projects being promoted by the Philippines.

In addition, the two leaders agreed on the need to expand cooperation in the agricultural sector to strengthen food security for both countries, and decided to create a Korean agricultural machinery production complex in the Philippines.

Thirdly, President Marcos and I have decided to expand the horizon of cooperation in future-oriented areas such as energy and digital transformation and expand sustainable growth engines.

The two leaders paid attention to the importance of nuclear power plants as a carbon-free energy source and decided to strengthen the foundation for nuclear cooperation between the two countries with the signing of the MOU on the feasibility study of resuming the Batan nuclear power plant.

As a leading country in the digital sector, Korea has decided to actively support the digital transformation of the Philippines, including the digitalization of the public administration sector.

Fourth, our two leaders agreed to support safe and productive human exchanges between the people of the two countries.

Last year, the most foreign tourists to the Philippines were Koreans, and a total of 97,000 Filipino workers have been working in Korea since 2004.

President Marcos and I agreed that such mutual exchange between the two peoples is a solid foundation for friendly cooperation between the two countries, and that we will work together to expand human exchanges, while strengthening the rights and safety of the people of both countries.

Fifth, the two leaders agreed to exchange broad views on regional and international issues and strengthen strategic cooperation to protect rule-based international order.

The Philippines, which shares the values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law with the Republic of Korea, is also a key partner in the implementation of the Korea-ASEAN solidarity initiative and humanitarian strategy of our government.

President Marcos and I reaffirmed that the international community will never tolerate North Korea's nuclear development, reckless provocations and illegal military cooperation with Russia, and agreed to continue working together to denuclearize North Korea and faithfully implement the Security Council resolutions.

President Marcos expressed his support for our 'August 15 Unification Doctrine' and agreed with me that a unified Korean peninsula of freedom, peace and prosperity will contribute to world peace and prosperity.

Our two leaders also agreed on the importance of peace, stability and safety in the South China Sea, a key maritime transport route in the region.

At this level, the two countries agreed to continue to cooperate for the establishment of a South China maritime rules-based maritime order and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with the principles of international law.

Based on the common vision of strategic partnership established today, our two leaders will continue to strengthen close cooperation and solidarity.

Once again, I am deeply grateful to President Marcos and the Filipino people for their invitation and hospitality. Thank you.