Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
SEOUL—President Aquino arrived here on Thursday noon for a two-day state visit aimed at fostering better trade relations and defense cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea.
Mr. Aquino and his official delegation arrived at the Seoul Air Base at exactly 12:59 p.m. (11:59 a.m. Manila time) aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines flight.
The President was met by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz and other top Korean officials.
The President is the first head of state to make a state visit in Korea since President Park Gyeun-hye was elected into office last February.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Aquino immediately proceeded to the Memorial Tower of the Seoul National Cemetery and led a wreath-laying ceremony.
Mr. Aquino will then proceed to the Blue House, Korea’s seat of power, for a summit talk with President Park and to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation between the two nations.
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