President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea, during his state visit to the Philippines, visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Manila on April 4, honoring those who served in the conflict. Dressed in a black suit, Yoon laid a wreath and offered a moment of silence in memory of the fallen soldiers. The Philippines was the first Asian nation to send troops to the Korean War, contributing a force of 7,420 soldiers, with 112 losing their lives and many others wounded or missing. Among those attending the ceremony were surviving veterans, including 98-year-old Benjamin Santos and his fellow comrades, who were visibly emotional during the tribute.

In his remarks, President Yoon acknowledged the sacrifices made by Filipino veterans, stating that the existence of modern South Korea is due to their noble contributions. He extended a personal invitation to Santos to visit Korea, expressing wishes for his health and highlighting the importance of honoring these veterans. Yoon also directed his aides to consider bringing these heroes to South Korea for recognition, illustrating the deep respect and gratitude towards their sacrifices in the war.

Furthermore, the visit underscored future collaboration between South Korea and the Philippines, as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on veterans' cooperation was signed during the trip, aimed at enhancing recognition for Filipino veterans and their families. The South Korean government plans to expand exchange and cooperation projects related to veterans, fostering deeper diplomatic ties and friendship between the two nations, which is seen as a vital aspect of their diplomatic strategy moving forward.