SoKor leader eyes better ties with Philippines under Duterte

MANILA, Philippines - South Korean President Park Geun-hye has congratulated president-elect Rodrigo Duterte and looks forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship between her country and the Philippines. 

“I am confident that under your leadership, the Philippines will attain economic growth,” Park said in a letter to Duterte.

The friendship and cooperation between the two countries solidified when Park attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit here in November last year.

“I look forward to working closely with you to bring our bilateral relations to the next level,” she said. 

In a separate message, South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn greeted vice president-elect Leni Robredo. 

Hwang asked Robredo to support Phl-SoKor ties, noting the increasing level of people-to-people exchange between the two countries. 

South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-shin delivered the letters to Duterte and Robredo.

South Korea welcomed Duterte’s anti-crime stance, saying it wants to strengthen cooperation toward the attainment of security and peace and order.

During a courtesy call on Duterte in Davao City last week, Kim expressed his government’s wish to improve bilateral ties between the two countries and continue the cooperation in various fields under the new administration.

Duterte said he is looking forward to continuing Phl-SoKor ties, as he noted his acquaintance with the Korean community in the Philippines and his fondness for Korean food and weather.

Kim and Duterte discussed economic cooperation in investment and employment as well as collaboration in Philippine infrastructure projects.

Duterte cited an expressway constructed by a Korean company decades ago that remains in good condition. He said it was one of the best projects in the Philippines.

Kim said South Korea hopes to strengthen close cooperation with the Duterte administration regarding North Korean affairs.

Political tension persists in the Korean peninsula due to North Korea’s development of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction. 

Duterte assured Kim that the Philippines would remain supportive of SoKor’s stand against North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.