President Yoon Suk Yeol has begun a state visit to the Philippines as part of a broader weeklong tour of three Southeast Asian nations in preparation for the upcoming ASEAN summit. This visit marks the first time a South Korean leader has visited the Philippines in 13 years, following former President Lee Myung-bak. Upon arrival in Manila, President Yoon is scheduled to participate in a ceremony to honor Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War and meet with overseas Koreans residing in the Philippines. During his stay, President Yoon is expected to hold discussions with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang presidential palace, where they will engage in a document signing ceremony, a joint press conference, and a state lunch hosted by President Marcos. The visit aims to strengthen ties between Seoul and Manila, particularly in the areas of security and economy, with potential discussions on defense cooperation and enhancing economic partnerships between the two countries. Additionally, South Korea sees the Philippines as a valuable partner for technological collaboration and infrastructure development projects, aligning with the goals of the Build Better More initiative led by the Marcos administration. The visit will also address the ratification process of the free trade agreement signed between South Korea and the Philippines in 2023. President Yoon's itinerary includes visits to Singapore and Laos before returning home following the ASEAN summit.