Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal II
17 October 2013 

President Benigno S. Aquino III left early this morning onboard flight PR001 bound for the Republic of Korea for a two-day State Visit after President Park Guen-hye, the first female President of South Korea, invited President Aquino to her country.

In his statement, President Aquino is optimistic that his state visit will not only strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, especially with the agreements to be signed between him and President Park, but will also generate new investors to invest in the Philippines and promote the country’s tourism industry.

He added that although the country is still shaken after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Central Visayas last Tuesday, he had already issued instructions to the members of his Cabinet to ensure order in earthquake affected areas.

“Tayo po ay tutungo ngayon sa South Korea upang asikasuhin naman ang kinabukasan, habang inaasikaso natin ang kasalukuyan,” he said. 

President Aquino is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow night after his State Visit from South Korea draws to its conclusion.

Joining the President in his State Visit are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Energy Secretary Caros Jericho Petilla, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Chief of Presidential Management Staff Julia Abad and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr.

*  *  *