Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and South Korea President Lee Myung-Bak yesterday held a bilateral meeting to discuss steps to further strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The meeting was held at the Blue House, the executive office and official residence of the Korea head of state in Seoul.

In his welcome address, Lee cited the 60 years of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Philippines, saying the Philippines has a “special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Korea.”

He said the Koreans’ affection for the Philippines began at the end of World War II when diplomatic relations between the two countries first began, and from there, blossomed into what it is today.

“Following the end of the Second World War, out of all the members of ASEAN, the Philippines was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea,” Lee said.

“In 1950, when the Korean War erupted in the (Korean) Peninsula, the Philippines dispatched 7,000 of its servicemen to fight alongside the Koreans, to fight against aggression and Communism and for that the Philippines has a very special place in our hearts,” he added.

Lee pointed out that during those “60 years, we’ve had many, many exchanges not only in people exchanges but also in economic cooperation as well.”

“It has encompassed cultural exchanges, areas in diplomacy, in the global stage in terms of military and industrial cooperation, tourism and environmental protection as well,” he said.

“So, on the occasion of your Excellency’s visit to the Republic of Korea, I hope it will lead to the start of the even further expanding and strengthening in breadth and scope of our bilateral relations with each other,” the Korean head of state said.

For her part, President Arroyo, who came to Korea on a state visit in 2003 and attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Busan, South Korea in 2005, expressed happiness at visiting this country once again.

On the Korea War, the President said that on a “personal note,” it was his late father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, then a congressman, who “authored the resolution to send troops to Korea and so therefore I also feel a special affinity to the people of the Republic of Korea.”

“And as far as labor relations and people-to-people exchanges are concerned, today there are 90,000 Koreans who live in the Philippines and 60,000 Filipinos – the majority of them workers -- who live in Korea,” she added.

“Not only have these Koreans found a second home – you are our number one tourist (visitors to the Philippines) – we also enjoy having your students who come to study English and other courses in the Philippines,” the President said.

After their bilateral meeting, the two heads of government witnessed the signing of six memorandum of understandings (MOU) between their two countries.

These MOUs are:
1. Signing and exchange of notes on the grant aid on rice processing complex;
2. Feasibility study on the establishment of multi-industry cluster
3. EPS workers
4. Cooperation in the field of labor and manpower development
5. Agricultural, Scientific and Technical cooperation; and
6. Construction of wind power plants in the Philippines.

After the MOU signing ceremonies, President Lee hosted an official dinner for President Arroyo and her party.