MANILA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologized to Kuwait on Sunday for using "harsh" words that triggered a diplomatic spat with the Gulf State.
Duterte, who is in South Korea for a three-day official visit, also bared his plan to visit Kuwait "even just for a few hours" to personally thank the Kuwaiti government for its swift response.
"For the first time, I would say that I was harsh in my language, maybe because that was a result of an emotional outburst, but I'd like to apologize now," Duterte said in his meeting with the Filipino community in Seoul.
He added, "I'm sorry for the language that I was using. I'm very satisfied by the way how you responded to the problems of my country."
Duterte launched a tirade against Kuwait early this year after reports of abuses against Filipino maids reached his office. Some of the abuses resulted in the death of some maids, prompting Duterte to order a deployment ban of Filipino workers there early this year.
The diplomatic row deepened when Philippine Embassy officials rescued distressed Filipino maids in Kuwait and posted a video of the rescue mission that went viral online. Kuwait was angered by the move and recalled its envoy in Manila.
Last month, Duterte ordered the lifting of the total ban after both countries signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that provides "legal protection for Filipino maids in the Gulf State."
"I think I'll go there. I'd like to thank them for understanding us, keeping their faith in us, practically giving all of my demands. I'll go there even for a few hours," Duterte told the Filipino community in Seoul.
There are about 68,000 Filipinos in South Korea, many are skilled workers, while the rest are students, professionals, missionaries, and spouses.
In Seoul, Duterte will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday. He is expected to return to Manila on Tuesday.
