MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has personally expressed his gratitude to South Korean President Moon Jae-in for his government’s assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Mindanao.

The President expressed his gratitude at President Moon’s bilateral meeting at the sidelights of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea commemorative Summit in Busan.

The victims of the earthquake received one hundred thousand dollars from the South Korean government.

During the bilateral meeting, President Duterte assured President Moon of continuing partnerships with the Philippines and South Korea and aiding in promoting peace and stability in the Asian region, as well as further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Duterte called on the growth of the Philippine economy and South Korea’s role as the fourth largest trading partner in the Philippines last year.

According to President Duterte, the trade of the Philippines and South Korea reached 13 billion dollars in 2018. (Chris Figueroa/IAMIGO/CNS)