08 December 2024, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was a guest lecturer at the Global Special Lecture Series of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) of Sogang University on 13 November 2024.

Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega presented a brief overview of our bilateral relations, the milestone commemoration of the 75^th Anniversary of PH-ROK diplomatic ties, and the elevation of our relations to that of a Strategic Partnership. The Ambassador likewise discussed key provisions of the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between PH-ROK, announced on 7 October 2024 in the Philippines.

The Ambassador presented the accomplishments and a future-oriented outlook for strengthened cooperation in the political, defense and security, trade and investments, people-to-people exchanges, and socio-cultural spheres between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also shared the recent developments in the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement and the benefits both countries will be able to fully reap once the agreement takes effect by the end of 2024 as well as on the PH-ROK Maritime Cooperation Dialogue, where issues of maritime concerns are discussed extensively. The PH-ROK MCD is the Republic of Korea’s first maritime cooperation dialogue with an ASEAN country.

Sogang University is a prestigious Jesuit university in South Korea. The university’s GSIS program is composed of international students from various countries, including the Philippines. Sogang University also has an education cooperation agreement with the Philippines’ Ateneo de Manila University.

The Philippine Embassy is proud to note that Filipino students in Sogang University are commended by their professors for excelling in their respective fields of studies with most of them having a good command of the Korean language. END