President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea is scheduled for state visits to Singapore and the Philippines from March 1 to 4, 2026. The visits are designed to deepen strategic partnerships with both nations, following the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Singapore and the 77th anniversary with the Philippines. Key objectives include expanding cooperation in traditional sectors such as trade, investment, and infrastructure, while also targeting emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and nuclear energy. These visits are part of South Korea’s broader ASEAN diplomatic vision, known as the CSP vision, which emphasizes contribution, growth, and partnership.
The visits will impact government officials, business leaders, and future technology sectors in all three countries. In Singapore, President Lee will hold a summit and luncheon with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attend the jointly hosted AI Connect Summit. In the Philippines, he will meet President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. for a summit and state dinner, and participate in a business forum. These engagements are expected to solidify existing collaborations and lay the groundwork for new initiatives in AI, defense, shipbuilding, and critical minerals.
The official itinerary begins in Singapore from March 1 to 3, 2026, followed by a visit to Manila, Philippines, from March 3 to 4. The Singapore leg includes high-level meetings and participation in the AI Connect Summit, while the Philippines visit coincides with the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Both countries are current and upcoming ASEAN chairs, making these visits significant for implementing the CSP vision announced at the 2023 Korea-ASEAN Summit. The strengthened ties are anticipated to yield tangible outcomes for citizens and enhance cooperation on the international stage.
Frequently asked questions include the main goals of the visits, which are to reinforce strategic partnerships and expand cooperation into future-oriented sectors. Another common question is how these visits will affect bilateral relations; the answer is that they are expected to deepen trust and deliver practical benefits in trade, defense, and technology. Additionally, the visits will help operationalize South Korea’s CSP vision with ASEAN, focusing on mutual growth and regional stability.
President Lee’s state visits to Singapore and the Philippines represent a significant step in South Korea’s regional diplomacy, especially in the context of the ASEAN CSP vision. By targeting both traditional and emerging sectors, these visits are likely to yield concrete outcomes for economic and technological collaboration. The alignment with ASEAN chairmanships further enhances the strategic importance of these engagements. The focus on AI, defense, and critical minerals positions South Korea as a forward-looking partner in Southeast Asia.