by FFE PH News staff

Following his visit to Bohol and Cebu to assess damage of the earthquake that hit earlier this week, President Benigno Aquino III pushed through with his trip to South Korea on Thursday morning.

Aquino was invited by South Korea’s newly- elected President Park Gyun-hye for a two-day state visit in an effort to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries; the two leaders are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.

During the state visit, the President’s father, Ninoy Aquino, will also be honored for his efforts in working as a news correspondent during the Korean War.

Before Aquino flew to South Korea, he first visited quake-stricken Bohol and Cebu last Wednesday.

Photo source: Official twitter page of President Noynoy Aquino.

While in Bohol, Aquino was briefed by local officials of the affect of the earthquake in the province. He also met up with evacuees cared for by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Photo source: Official twitter of President Noynoy Aquino.

The 7.2 magnitude quake that hit Western Visayas and Mindanao saw most of its damages in Bohol, with the quake’s epicenter recorded in the town of Carmen.

The number of deaths caused by the earthquake has risen to 156, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Coordinating Council (NDRRMC).