S.Korea offers $700,000 in aid to Ecuador

South Korea will offer 700,000 dollars in aid to Ecuador which suffers from the aftermath of a deadly earthquake that has claimed hundreds of lives.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the government plans to "actively" take part in global efforts to respond to the recent series of earthquakes and natural disasters.

On Saturday, a 7.8-magnitude tremblor struck the South American nation, leaving more than 550 people killed and thousands injured or missing.

The Ecuadorian government has declared a state of national emergency, with about 40,000 people waiting for urgent aid.