1. The Government of the Republic of Korea extends its congratulations on the formal election of Senator 
Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 9.

2. The Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines, which was the first ASEAN member 
state to establish diplomatic relations with Korea and fought alongside Korea in the Korean War, 
share democracy and market economy, and have seen their relations steadily progress in 
economy and trade, people-to-people and cultural exchange, and various other fields since 
the forging of diplomatic ties.

3. The Government of the Republic of Korea hopes to further develop the friendly and cooperative 
relationship between the two countries along with the new Philippine government, scheduled to 
inaugurate on June 30.

                        Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation