During a state visit to the Philippines, President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the historical ties between South Korea and the Philippines, stating that the two nations would work towards strengthening cooperation in defense industries, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The meeting, which took place at the Malacañang Palace with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marked the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Yoon highlighted the contributions of Filipino soldiers during the Korean War and expressed confidence in a bright future for cooperation based on their strategic partnership.

The two leaders signed ten memorandums of understanding covering defense, nuclear energy, K-Culture, and artificial intelligence. President Yoon mentioned the potential for substantial collaboration in nuclear energy, particularly in relation to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant's feasibility study and a new partnership for nuclear projects, addressing the longstanding energy shortages faced by the Philippines. This renewed focus on nuclear energy is part of a broader strategy to enhance bilateral cooperation, with both nations recognizing their roles as significant players in regional maritime security and defense.

In addition to energy and defense, the discussions included the expansion of K-Culture and potential collaborations in various emerging fields, including digital technology and green energy. The leaders expressed mutual commitment to strengthening their partnership amid changing global dynamics, with an emphasis on ensuring maritime security and enhancing trust in defense collaboration. The symbolic gift exchanged between the leaders, a model of a golden turtle ship, underscored the intent to further solidify shipbuilding and defense collaboration between the two nations.