Manila, May 3 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expecting the ratification of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and South Korea this year.

In an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper chairman and publisher Chang Dae-Whan at Malacanang Palace on Thursday, Marcos expressed optimism that South Korea's National Assembly would ratify the FTA, which could result in lower tariff rates for Philippine products in the Korean market.

"I think so. I think we will get it done. I think we will get it ratified... It's important to us," Marcos said.

"I think one of the lessons we learned during the pandemic, and now after the pandemic, is how important trade is, not just to be wealthy, but to be, to have the things that yo...