President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu (Grand Cross, Gold Distinction) on South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa during his farewell call at Malacañan Palace, as reported by BusinessWorld.
The award recognized Lee’s “pivotal contributions to strengthening bilateral ties” between the Philippines and South Korea. The Order of Sikatuna is the Philippines’ national order of diplomatic merit, typically awarded to foreign dignitaries for exceptional service in fostering relations.
Lee’s term as ambassador concluded after years of diplomatic engagement that saw increased cooperation in trade, defense, and cultural exchanges. The ceremony marked a formal acknowledgment of his efforts to deepen the partnership between the two nations.