(LEAD) Lee-Philippines-gifts
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| ▲ A golden-plated Korean turtle ship model, a gift by President Lee Jae Myung to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is seen in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae on March 3, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ A South Korean Air Force pilot flight jacket, a gift by President Lee Jae Myung to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is seen in this photo provided by Cheong Wa Dae on March 3, 2026. The jacket bears a "3377" patch on the left arm, symbolizing the date Seoul and Manila forged diplomatic ties on March 3, 77 years ago. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clink their glasses during a state dinner hosted by Marcos at Malacanang Palace in Manila on March 3, 2026. (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) Lee-Philippines-gifts
(LEAD) Lee gifts golden-plated Korean turtle ship model to Philippine president
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest details in first 2 paras; RECASTS headline; ADDS photo)
By Kim Eun-jung
MANILA, March 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung presented a traditional Korean turtle ship model to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday in hopes of strengthening defense industry cooperation between the two nations, Lee's office said.
Lee gifted the handmade ship, plated with pure gold, during a state dinner hosted by Marcos at Malacanang Palace in Manila, after they discussed ways to bolster cooperation in the defense industry and shipbuilding during their summit talks.
"The gift carries a wish to strengthen bilateral defense industry cooperation through the turtle ship, which symbolizes Korea's world-class shipbuilding history and technological prowess," Cheong Wa Dae said in a release.
The turtle ship was an armored warship used by Korea's Joseon Dynasty in the late 16th century during Admiral Yi Sun-sin's major battles against Japanese forces and is often associated with Korea's long history of advanced shipbuilding capabilities.
Lee also prepared a South Korean Air Force pilot flight jacket bearing a "3377" patch on the left arm, symbolizing the date Seoul and Manila forged diplomatic ties on March 3, 77 years ago.
Cheong Wa Dae said the gift was prepared in consideration of Marcos' childhood dream of becoming a pilot and his admiration for the fighter-pilot film Top Gun.
The defense industry has been one of the major pillars of bilateral cooperation between the two nations, as the Philippines has purchased a wide range of Korean weapons, including naval vessels, FA-50 light combat aircraft and armored vehicles.
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