Busan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. capped his four-day visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on Sunday by paying tribute to Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War. Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos, led a wreath-laying ceremony and tree-planting activity at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, where the names of the members of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) are inscribed on a Memorial Wall.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ceremony concluded the President’s official schedule in South Korea following the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju. There, he joined 20 other leaders and senior officials in discussions on digital innovation, trade, and sustainable growth. The First Couple is set to return to Manila later on Sunday.

The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to send combat troops to Korea under the United Nations Command. Between 1950 and 1955, 7,420 Filipino soldiers served in the Korean War as part of PEFTOK. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in a bilateral meeting with Marcos on the sidelines of the summit on Friday, referred to the Philippines as a ‘special friend,’ citing the country’s participation in the Korean War. ‘The Korean people have not forgotten the Philippines’ contribution, dedication, and sacrifice during the war,’ Lee told Marcos.

Earlier in his trip, Marcos also met with South Korean business leaders and defense firms, including Hanwha Ocean, which is exploring submarine cooperation with the Philippines, and DL Group, which is pursuing energy projects with Meralco.