PH, South Korea reaffirm ties, eye new investment opportunities

• IN PHOTO: Executive Secretary Ralph Recto meets with South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Monday (Feb. 16, 2026). The two officials reaffirmed the Philippines and South Korea’s commitment to further deepen bilateral ties and explore investment opportunities. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Executive Secretary)

The Philippines and South Korea have renewed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation, following a meeting between Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa.

The discussion took place at Malacañang Palace on Monday, as confirmed in a statement released by the Office of the Executive Secretary.

During the meeting, both sides explored ways to deepen collaboration, particularly in improving the ease of doing business and encouraging more South Korean investments in the Philippines.

“Executive Secretary Recto assured the Ambassador that the government is proactively addressing investor concerns to make the Philippines a more competitive and secure investment destination,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said.

Ambassador Lee, for his part, conveyed Seoul’s continued backing of Manila’s initiatives, including support for the Philippines’ hosting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings this year. He underscored South Korea’s interest in enhancing engagement with Southeast Asia.

The meeting comes ahead of the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea, set to be marked in March.

Formal ties between the two countries were established on March 3, 1949, when the Philippines became the fifth nation to recognize the Republic of Korea, which had been inaugurated on Aug. 15, 1948.

Also present during the meeting were Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco; Undersecretaries Erwin Sta. Ana and Facundo Palafox IV; and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Executive Director Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr.