Marcos, South Korea's Yoon to hold talks

(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his South Korean counterpart President Yoon Suk Yeol will discuss regional and international issues at a bilateral meeting as the two leaders reaffirm their countries' "vibrant and dynamic" ties, Malacañang said Thursday. Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will welcome the South Korean president and first lady Kim Keon Hee in Malacañang on October 7. Malacañang said that the two leaders will discuss cooperation in the political, security and defense, maritime, economic, and development fields, as well as labor and consular matters. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Korean Embassy in the Philippines said Yoon's upcoming visit will be his first to the Philippines as the president of Korea and the first for a Korean president in 13 years. "The visit marks a pivotal moment in the 75-year diplomatic relationship between Korea and the Philippines and symbolizes our strong bond and close connection of our leaders," the embassy said in a statement. "President Yoon's State Visit epitomizes not only a celebration of past achievements but a forging of even greater partnership and opportunities," it added. Seoul is Manila's ally in fighting for its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and in upholding the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines is the only Association of Southeast Asian Nations country that Korea holds bilateral maritime dialogues with on a regular basis.