MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday, December 11, departed for his final foreign trip of the year to Busan, South Korea, where he will seek to further strengthen Philippine cooperation with one of the world’s major economies.

Aquino made the statement in his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 that his trip to Korea, where he would join other Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) leaders for the 25th ASEAN-ROK Commemmorative Summit.

“As we know, the Philippines and South Korea have had a strong relationship for a while now,” he said in Filipino. “This is a relationship forged by a rich shared history of pursuing democracy, freedom and prosperity.”

Aquino said South Korea has been an ally of the Philippines in economic development, national security, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

He said proof of this parthership is the million Korean tourists who visited the country in 2013. Another is the Philippine operations of Korean shipbuilder Hanjin, which has helped make the Philippines the 4th largest shipbuilding nation in the world.

Aquino said South Korea was also there to help the Philippines in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Aside from attending the summit, Aquino will have a bilateral meeting with Korean President Park Geun-hye. 

“I am eager to meet again with President Park. We will seize the opportunity to further expand and intensify Philippine cooperation with Korea,” he said.

The President added that in his meetings with other regional leaders in South Korea, he will pursue his climate change advocacy, and would impart the Philippines’ best practices in terms of preparedness and response, in this regard.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr said the government has earmarked P11.2 million ($251,284)* for the trip, which covers transportation, accommodation, food and equipment expenses.

Aquino is accompanied by a 48-member delegation including Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad and Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria.

Earlier this week, Aquino canceled his trip Korea to focus on the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby but later decided to again push through with his trip. 

Aquino is scheduled to return on Friday, December 12. – Rappler.com

*$1=P44.57