DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Korean Ambassador Kim Jae-shin paid Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte a personal visit in Davao City on Thursday, June 2.

Kim, speaking to media after his visit, said he congratulated Duterte and spoke of mutual cooperation in a number of fields.

“We hope under his leadership, the Philippines will continue to develop further and further. We want to expand our bilateral relations. Both countries will cooperate in a mutually beneficial way,” he said.

Kim extended the Korean government’s vow to help Duterte achieve his famous anti-crime plan by donating police equipment.

“We will provide equipment like patrol cars and motorbikes worth $6.6 million. This is a donation,” said the Korean official.

“The priority is to stamp out crime and drugs. The Korean government fully supports and will cooperate,” he said.

One of the results he expects from Duterte’s anti-crime plan is a better environment for investments and businesses in the Philippines.

One of the main topics the two leaders discussed was economic development. Korean companies have interests in infrastructure, transportation, and agriculture.

For instance, the Korean government and the Philippines signed a $100-million loan deal for the Panguil Bay Bridge that will connect Tangub in Misamis Oriental to Tubod in Lanao del Norte.

It aims to increase growth in Mindanao with reliable and efficient transport infrastructure connecting the northern and western areas. – Rappler.com