Hanoi, Aug. 15 -- President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung spoke by phone with his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 14 on ways to expand cooperation in trade, infrastructure and shipbuilding.

In their first conversation since Lee took office in early June, the two leaders agreed to continue the momentum in brisk exchange and cooperation. They discussed expanding trade and investment based on the bilateral free trade agreement, broadening the mutually beneficial cooperation, including Korean companies' involvement in the Philippines' infrastructure projects, such as maritime bridges, railways, and shipbuilding.

Lee described the Philippines as a "long-standing ally", while Marcos expressed hope for clos...