The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA G. FRASCO BRINGS “LOVE THE PHILIPPINES” CAMPAIGN TO PH’S TOP TOURISM MARKET IN KOREA

[Above photo] Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco delivers presentation with Korean media partners on 08 May 2024 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. [Below Right photo] Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers the opening remarks during the press conference.

22 May 2024, Seoul. Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco visited Korea from 7-9 May 2024 to bring the “Love the Philippines” campaign to the country’s number one tourism source country, Korea.

During her visit, Secretary Frasco met with Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yu In Chon. The Ministers discussed continuing Philippines-Korea cooperation under the PH-ROK MOU on Tourism Cooperation. Secretary Frasco likewise expressed appreciation to Korea for being the top source of international visitors to the Philippines. She also shared with Minister Yu the ongoing initiatives of the government to make travel to the Philippines more seamless and more enjoyable. Secretary Frasco conveyed an invitation to Minister Yu to attend the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA) and the First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific to be held from 26-28 June 2024 in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco with House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco D. Frasco graced the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Travel Fairs (SITF) and joined Ministers and other senior officials from participating countries in a “Gimbap rolling” (traditional Korean rice and seaweed roll) to mark the opening of the SITF on 9 May 2024. Secretary Frasco also visited the Philippine Tourism Pavilion at the SITF as well as a special pavilion of Coron, Palawan.

SOT Frasco delivered a featured presentation and talk at the World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) likewise held on 09 May. She spoke on the global tourism recovery outlook, the current state of Philippine tourism and the recovery from the pandemic era, and the rising importance of gastronomy tourism not only regionally but globally. She likewise extended an invitation to all the participants to the forthcoming UN Tourism Regional Forum in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco likewise conducted a briefing for key media partners of the Philippines and a listening and consultative session with partners in the travel and tourism sector of Korea including major airline companies, travel operators, and travel associations in Korea.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DOT Undersecretary-OIC Esmeralda Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno, and DOT Director in Korea Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo assisted Secretary Frasco in her engagements.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed a total of 1,439,336 arrivals from South Korea or a total of 26.50% of the Philippines' overall tourist market share. END

[Above photo] Secretary Frasco was joined by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, DOT Undersecretary Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Bueno and Tourism Director Jorda-Apo during the Listening Tour with the Korean Travel Trade partners. [Below photo] Korean Travel trade partners pose for a photo with the members of the DOT delegation.

[Above photo] The Philippine booth at the 39^th Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF). [Below photo] Secretary Frasco with HOR Deputy Speaker Frasco graced the opening ceremony of the SITF.

FORMER FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY DELIA DOMINGO-ALBERT DELIVERS TALK AT EWHA WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED GLOBAL LECTURE SERIES

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia D. Albert Delivers Talk at Ewha Woman’s University Distinguished Global Lecture Series. Ambassador Albert was welcomed to Ewha University by its President and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Kim Eun-Mee.

22 May 2024, Seoul. Former Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert was a guest speaker at Ewha Woman’s University Distinguished Global Lecture Series on 19 April 2024. Focusing on the theme “Building Global Networks in Diplomacy and International Relations”, Ambassador Albert shared highlights of her professional journey first as an education then as a diplomat and advocate within the context of regional and international developments such as the establishment of ASEAN and its subsequent membership expansion; the crafting of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); the various historic women-focused international conferences; the evolution of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); the Global Summit of Women; and the opportunities and challenges for women in the diplomatic and international relations sphere. The audience of 70 students and faculty of Ewha University’s Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) likewise posed questions to Ambassador Albert and appreciated the inspiration and motivation she provided to the students.

Ambassador Albert was welcomed to Ewha University by its President and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Kim Eun-Mee, GSIS Dean Brendan Howe, and University Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Inhan Kim.

While in Korea, Ambassador Albert likewise called on H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, President and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Insitute (GGGI) and 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, ASEAN Korea Centre (AKC) Secretary General and former ROK Ambassador to PH Kim Jae-Shin, former ROK Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung-Hwan, past Korean awardees of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards Mr. Kim Song-Ki and Mr. Sun-Tae, Sunfull Foundation Chairperson Dr. Min Byoung-Chul, officers and members of the Korea Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW-Korea), women Ambassadors in Korea, senior ROK women diplomats, and ROK National Assembly member Jasmine Lee.

Ambassador Albert’s engagements are part of the Philippine Embassy’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea Relations and in furtherance of the Department of Foreign Affairs Gender and Development advocacies. END

During her time in Korea, Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert called on GGGI President and Chair and former SG Ban Ki-Moon to exchange views on their respective global advocacies, including on gender and development.

The Philippine Embassy organized a dinner-meeting with the Business and Professional Women of Korea officers and members to discuss initiatives in providing more economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs as well as advocating for a more active voice for women in business. Amb. Albert encouraged the BPW-Korea to spearhead advocacy programs for women entrepreneurs in the region.

The Philippine Embassy organized a networking dinner for Amb. Albert with women Ambassadors in ROK as well as senior ROK women diplomats including MOFA former Director General for Multilateral Affairs Ellen Kang, UN Women Centre of Excellence Korea Director Jeongshim Lee, and the first non-ethnic Korean member of the National Assembly Filipina-Korean Jasmine Lee. During the activity, Amb. Albert and the women diplomats and public services exchanged views on the opportunities as well as remaining challenges for women in the diplomatic sphere.

Amb. Albert as a Trustees of the RMAF, met with two Korean awardees, Mr. Kim Jong-Ki and Mr. Kim Sun-Tae. Mr. Kim Jong-ki established a foundation dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention after the tragic demise of his son. His foundation has sought to address this very real social concern in Korea and in other parts of the world. Mr. Kim Sun-tae,who is visually impaired,has dedicated his time to a foundation and hospital providing services to the blind in Korea.

Amb. Albert met with former ROK Ambassador to PH Kim Jae Shin who just assumed his post as AKC Secretary-General. They exchanged views on ASEAN-ROK cooperation as well as making gender, sustainability, and maritime matters as top areas for cooperation between ROK and ASEAN.

PHILIPPINES AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA DISCUSS COOPERATION ON ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING FOREIGN TERRORIST FINANCING

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with the Republic of Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KOFIU) Commissioner Park Kwang to discuss cooperation in financial security against illicit financial activities.

16 May 2024 – Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with the recently-appointed Republic of Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KOFIU) Commissioner Park Kwang to discuss the Philippines’ National Strategy on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and the rigorous work being undertaken to strengthen the effectiveness of the Philippines’ AML/CFT regime.

Strengthening the national financial system and global compliance to financial standards are important priorities areas for the Philippines as millions of Overseas Filipino Workers send their money to the Philippines through international remittances.

Both sides agreed to further their cooperation to combat the flow of illicit financial activities. An MOU on information exchange between KOFIU and the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council was signed in 2004. The Philippines is also an active participant in the Asset Recovery Interagency Network – Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP) Asset Recovery Training that is held in Seoul and sponsored by the ROK Supreme Prosecutor’s Office and ARIN-AP. END

PHL EMBASSY HOLDS FIRST FILIPINO COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CAMP

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21 April 2024, Gangwon - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in coordination with the MWO-OWWA-Seoul and ODAFA-Seoul, held its first Filipino Community Leadership Camp from 20 to 21 April 2024 in Hoengseong National Forest Center in Gangwon-do, South Korea.

Attended by at least 50 Filipino community leaders from across South Korea, the groundbreaking event was aimed to equip the participants with essential skills and knowledge to excel as Filipino community leaders and foster a more cohesive and empowered Filipino community as a whole. Through a combination of seminars, outdoor activities, and immersive training sessions, participants gained tools and strategies needed to thrive as leaders within their respective organizations.

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In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega said that the camp is designed to empower Overseas Filipino Community Leaders with the tools and strategies they need to make a positive impact in their organizations and the broader Filipino community in the ROK. She emphasized that the growing Overseas Filipino community in South Korea calls for leaders who are both resilient and well-informed to be able to effectively address the evolving needs and challenges faced by the community.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also gave a presentation on the Bagong Pilipinas initiatives by the Philippine Government, and key initiatives of the Embassy in commemoration of the 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea this 2024.

Management experts Mr. Bernard “Nad” Pating and Mr. Carl Dy, as well as Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista joined the camp and shared their knowledge on key and effective leadership traits, management strategies, financial acumen and organizational regulations that would enable the participants to effectively lead their organizations.

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The Camp also featured an emergency preparedness seminar in which participants learned about the basic Emergency Management Framework (Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery) and the importance of preparedness within the community context.

Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., who leads the Embassy’s working group on the matter, said that the seminar aimed to enhance participants' awareness and readiness in handling various emergency situations that may arise within the community, and underscored the significance of collaboration and coordination among community leaders in times of crisis.

Speakers from the Embassy included Consul General Israel, Jr., Second Secretary Ernest Diga, Defense Attache LtCol. Don Templonuevo on the PHL Government’s crisis alert levels; and Labor Attache Maya Valderrama on the development of a volunteer area coordinator system among the Filipino community organizations; Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista on legal considerations during emergencies; and Welfare Officer Cornelia DG. Chanco on community engagement and resilience. Mr. Jayson Amboy also delivered a brief demonstration of basic medical responses, including CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

Model go-bags or emergency kits were distributed to the participants, in the hopes of encouraging them to replicate the initiative within their own communities.

The camp was capped off by a fellowship night wherein participants showcased their unique talents. Certificates of Registration were also turned over to two (2) new Filipino community organizations, the We Are One Jeju (WAO-Jeju) and the Confederation of Ilocano Association, Inc. (CIASI); while existing organizations were given a renewal Certificate in the spirit of continuing collaboration and partnership with the Embassy. END

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