SEOUL, South Korea, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked President Park Geun-hye for the warm hospitality she has given him and his delegation, saying her presidency is itself historic.
During a toast at a State Dinner, the President said just as his mother was the first Filipina to lead his country, “you hold the unique privilege of serving and leading your nation as its first female President.”
“It is my hope that you will find the resilience and strength to guide your people towards a more vibrant future for Korea,” the President said.
He also thanked the people of Korea “for the welcome they have shown not only to myself but also to almost 50,000 Filipinos who live dignified, productive lives here in your country.”
“Just as my countrymen have experienced your kindness and generosity, I am confident that your countrymen in the Philippines are experiencing the kind of hospitality and friendship that are characteristics of the Filipino nation,” the President said.
“Madame President, our nations are tied by the deepest of bonds. In the 1950s, my country was still rising from the rubble of the 2nd World War.
“One million Filipinos were lost out of a total population of twelve million. We are taught that Manila further was the second only to Warsaw in terms of destruction.
“And yet, when the call from our Korean friends came, my countrymen were among the first contingents to answer,” he said.
The President told the Korean leader how his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.. covered the Korean war as a young journalist, saying how hard the Filipinos and Koreans fought together in braving the greatest challenges.
“Just as we were partners in the past, today we remain committed to assisting one another, standing shoulder to shoulder in working to foster peace, stability and cooperation in our part of the world,” he said.
In closing, the President asked the Korean leader to a toast for her continued health and good fortune “as you lead your nation to even greater heights.”