Fresh from her successful state visit to the United States where she brought home a windfall from the Bush administration, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo tries to make it a double whammy when she embarks on a three-day state visit to South Korea starting tomorrow (Monday, June 2).

At least three bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the state visit, the first by any head of state under the administration of South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun.

The agreements, covering the areas of legal coordination, energy and finance, are expected to enhance further the already strong ties between Seoul and Manila, dating back to March 3, 1949 when the country first established bilateral relations with South Korea.

She will be leaving Manila at around noon Monday and arrive in the South Korean capital in the afternoon. She is due to meet the Filipino community in Korea later in the evening.

On Tuesday, after a wreath-laying at the National Cemetery, the official welcome ceremony for the President will be held at the Grand Garden of Cheong Wa Dae, otherwise known as the Blue House, the official residence of the South Korean President.

President Roh and Madam Kwon Yang-sook will lead the welcome rites.

After the brief meeting with her counterpart, President Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the expanded bilateral meeting and signing of government agreements.

A luncheon to be hosted by the four Korean business associations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and Federation of Small and Medium Business (KFSMB), will follow at the Seoul Hilton hotel.

She then meets with the leaders of the National Assembly and, in the afternoon will attend to business calls by representatives of the Korea Electric Power Corporation and Daewoo International.

Here, two agreements, including one on the electrification of Panay Island, is expected to be signed.

The President, along with 40 members of the Philippine delegation, will then be honored with a state dinner at the Blue House where they will also be treated to a Korean Cultural performance.

On Wednesday, the President starts her day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial Monument, a tribute to the Philippine Expeditionary Forces sent to Korea in 1950 to join the US-led coalition which defended South Korea from the communist invasion of the North Koreans.

She will then speak at the 19^th joint meeting of the Korea-Philippines Economic Council and the Philippines-Korea Economic Council before meeting with Sam Koo Park, chairman of Asiana Airlines.