South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made a state visit to Singapore from 1 to 3 March 2026, at the invitation of Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. This was the second meeting between President Lee and Prime Minister Wong in four months, following their earlier talks during Prime Minister Wong’s visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November 2025, when the two countries established a Singapore–Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership.President Lee was accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, as well as Cabinet Ministers and senior officials.
On 2 March, President Lee received a formal ceremonial welcome and made a courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters. As part of Singapore’s diplomatic custom, an orchid hybrid was named in honour of President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung. The orchid was given the name Vanda Lee Jae Myung Kim Hea Kyung. President Lee then held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Wong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by a joint press conference and a hosted lunch at the Fullerton Bay Hotel.
Prime Minister Wong and President Lee reviewed the progress made under the Singapore–ROK Strategic Partnership and discussed cooperation in trade, energy, and the digital and green economies. President Lee stated at the joint press conference, “I hope this visit will further advance trade and investment and deepen and broaden cooperation in future strategic industries, including AI, the green transition, economic security and the defence industry.”
Key Outcomes
Free Trade Agreement Upgrade and Investment
Both leaders announced the start of negotiations to upgrade the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (KSFTA), which has been in force since 2006. The upgrade aims to advance cooperation across four areas: supply chains, the green economy, trade facilitation, and aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).
President Lee also announced that Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek, and its asset management unit, Seviora Group, would cooperate with the state-run Korea Development Bank on investment.
Five MOUs Signed
Prime Minister Wong and President Lee witnessed the exchange of five Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) covering the following areas: MOU on Science and Technology Cooperation, MOU on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and Enabling Digital Technologies for Public Safety, MOU on Enhanced Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property (IP), Extension of the MOU on Space & Geospatial Information for Environmental and Pollution Issues, and MOU on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation.
AI Business Forum
President Lee attended the AI Connect Summit, a bilateral business forum for entrepreneurs and business leaders in the AI sector. South Korea’s presidential office noted that it has strengths in semiconductors, data centre infrastructure, and manufacturing AI, while Singapore has advanced AI governance and regulation and serves as a hub for AI data in Southeast Asia.
In the evening, President Tharman hosted a state banquet in honour of President Lee. President Lee’s Singapore visit concluded on 3 March 2026. He is scheduled to depart Singapore for Manila, the Philippines, where he will begin his next state visit from 3 to 4 March.
