MANILA- South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has accepted the Philippine government’s apology over the death of businessman Jee Ick Joo inside the police headquarters, said Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

Panelo, who flew to South Korea to personally convey Philippine government's regrets, said in a statement Monday Hwang fully accepted the apology and noted that President Rodrigo Duterte has already apologized to the Korean government and Jee's widow, Choi Kyung Jin.

“I also relayed to him our government’s commitment and strongest assurance that it will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the persons responsible for the murder and give justice to the victim,” Panelo said.

BASAHIN: Pahayag ni Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo sa kanyang pagbisita sa South Korea. | via @dzmmRP45 pic.twitter.com/SyC78njlYV

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) February 6, 2017

Panelo said Hwang expects that “swift” justice will be served, and that both governments will learn from Jee's death and establish deeper ties.

The chief legal counsel said he also reminded the Korean leader of the long history of Philippine-Korean ties, citing the creation of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) and thanked South Korea for its assistance during relief and rescue operations for typhoon ‘Yolanda’ victims.

“We both concluded that the unfortunate death of Mr. Jee Ick Joo shall also serve as an opportunity to cultivate deeper relations between the Philippines and South Korea,” he said.

Jee was kidnapped and killed inside Camp Crame by suspected rogue cops.

-- With reports from Dexter Ganibe, ABS-CBN News