Blue House, Seoul
17 October 2013

Together with his official delegation, President Benigno S. Aquino III and Korean President Park Geun-hye held their first summit meeting to discuss bilateral issues such as political dialogue, defense cooperation, trade and investments relations, official development assistance, consular and labor cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

In an opening statement of President Park, she expressed her deepest regret and extend her condolences for the heavy loss of lives brought by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas, particularly Bohol and Cebu. She wished for an immediate recovery of the areas damaged by the quake.

She also gave her praise for President Aquino’s leadership in handling the Zamboanga standoff and hoped for a smooth progress on the Mindanao peace process.

President Aquino said in reply that it brings comfort that the Philippines is not alone in facing the problem brought by the strong quake. He thanked South Korea for their humanitarian assistance in Zamboanga.

Joining the delegation of President Aquino are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Ambassador Luis Cruz, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad.

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