Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, Paik Jonghoon, and Henry Aguda, Philippine Secretary of Information and Communications Technology, are taking a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on digital cooperation at Malaca?ang Palace in Manila, Philippines, on the 3rd. President Lee Jae-myung and President Ferdinand Marcos attended the event. Photo by Yonhap News
On March 3 (local time), South Korea and the Philippines signed ten Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), including one to accelerate digital cooperation.
President Lee Jae-myung and President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. made this announcement in a joint press statement on March 3.
The two countries signed a "Digital Cooperation MOU" to strengthen collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), next-generation communication infrastructure, and cybersecurity. They plan to share policy information and establish a joint consultative body as part of their cooperation efforts.
They also signed an MOU on technology, digital, and innovation development cooperation. Priority areas of collaboration include building a startup ecosystem, expanding AI and digital accessibility, and driving innovation in cultural and creative industries. Through these efforts, the strategic effectiveness of the Philippines' official development assistance (ODA) projects is expected to be enhanced.
In addition, the "Implementation Agreement for the Procurement of Specific Defense Materials" was revised. The revision includes expanding the list of companies eligible for private contracts and broadening the scope of cooperation to include weapon system maintenance and follow-up logistics support. The government expects that expanding the list of companies eligible for private contracts will improve the contract-winning conditions for Korean companies.
In the field of veterans' affairs, the two countries agreed to expand participation in international programs for veterans and bereaved families, and to strengthen educational and cultural exchanges. Policy training for Philippine veterans affairs officials and support for participation in international veterans conferences are also planned.
Furthermore, the agricultural cooperation MOU was revised to promote agricultural development for food security, agricultural mechanization, and the advancement of post-harvest management and distribution systems. The government explained that this would also help the domestic agricultural sector, including agricultural machinery, seeds, and fertilizers, to enter the ASEAN market and expand exports of K-food.
To address transnational crime, the existing scope of cooperation, which had been limited to criminal investigations, was expanded to include the apprehension of fugitives. A police cooperation MOU was also signed, which includes the establishment of a hotline between the two countries' agencies.
Additionally, the agreements included: △ a revised MOU on trade, investment, and economic cooperation; △ a revised MOU on deepened cooperation in the field of intellectual property; △ an MOU on cooperation for special foreign language programs in Philippine schools; and △ an MOU on cultural cooperation.
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