BUSAN, South Korea — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived early Monday here to take part in the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (Asean-ROK) Commemorative Summit at the marine capital of Northeast Asia.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed the President arrived at the Gimhae Air Base at 1:28 a.m.
Republic of Korea Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho, Deputy Director-General of Public Diplomacy/Task Force Philippines Team Leader Kyun Jongho and Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man welcomed Duterte upon arrival, according to Panelo.
Also present to welcome Duterte were Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Noe Wong and Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje.
The summit, with the slogan of “Partnership for Peace, Prosperity for People,” is seen as an avenue to discuss with other regional heads of state new world challenges, such as protectionism, non-conventional security threats, transnational crimes, and cybercrime, among others.
Duterte’s visit to the Republic of Korea — his second as head of state — will also serve to strengthen the 70-year partnership between the Philippines and South Korea.
A bilateral meeting between Duterte and Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled Monday afternoon.
Joining the President’s delegation are Panelo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, and Social Security System President and CEO Aurora Ignacio.
The President has also designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as officer-in-charge from November 24 to 26 to take care of the day-to-day operations in the Office of the President and to oversee the general administration of the executive department.