The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS (1928-2022)

Tribute FPFVR

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea joins the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of the 12^th President of the Philippines Fidel Valdez Ramos on 31 July 2022. The former President was 94 years old.

Former President Ramos was a visionary leader in foreign policy and a beacon of democracy. He promoted principles of economic development and instituted the concept of “Complete Staff Work” (CSW) in government for global competitiveness. Among his many post-Presidential term pursuits, he was the Philippines’ representative in the Eminent Person’s Group (EPG) on the ASEAN Charter.

He had a special relationship with the Republic of Korea as he was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) who fought valiantly alongside their South Korean counterparts during the Korean War from 1950-1953. PEFTOK consisted of five combat battalions under the UN Command. Of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who saw action, 112 were killed and 299 were wounded in action. Former President Ramos was then a second lieutenant and a fresh graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1950 when he volunteered for combat duty at the outbreak of the Korean War. He was assigned as the reconnaissance platoon leader of the reconnaissance company of the 20th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) and led a forty-four man unit to victory in the Battle of Eerie Hill.

As a Korean War veteran, the former President undertook numerous trips to the Republic of Korea and represented the Philippines in official veterans ceremonies including the 60^th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. He was proud to recount the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers to defend democracy and freedom in the Korean Peninsula and in his later years sought to further strengthen Philippine – ROK relations.

For his great service to the Republic of Korea, former President Ramos was awarded the Cheonsu Medal, Order of National Security Merit given to individuals for outstanding meritorious services in the interest of national security and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the highest order awarded by the government of South Korea for meritorious services in the interest of promoting the development and security.

The officers and staff of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea convey profoundest condolences to the family of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

PH EMBASSY IN KOREA HOLDS MID-YEAR PLANNING CONFERENCE

PR MTD 95 2022

26 July 2022 - The Philippine Embassy in Korea held its mid-year Planning Conference on 26 July 2022. The Embassy’s Planning conference is a biannual stocktaking and direction-setting exercise that allows the Embassy and its attached agencies to craft, review, and update a cohesive strategy on improving consular and assistance-to-nationals services and strengthening political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties with the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega chaired the conference. The Embassy’s section heads and attached agencies including the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), the Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO), the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), the Office of the PH Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (ODAFA), the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) presented their respective work plans and targets for the remainder of 2022, and shared best practices to further achieve proposed deliverables in pursuit of strengthening Philippines-ROK relations, the preservation and enhancement of national security, economic diplomacy, efficient delivery of consular services, protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipinos, gender and development, and cultural and public diplomacy.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega provided guidance and insights on the Embassy’s future activities for the second half of 2022 and beyond, acknowledged the accomplishments of each agency for the first half of 2022, and directed members of the Embassy to continue improving on the delivery of services to the Filipino community in Korea.

The Embassy team also acknowledged the cooperation and support of the Filipino community in the Republic of Korea for the Philippine Embassy’s various projects and programs geared towards raising awareness on important issues, providing skills and training services, and promoting solidarity and cooperation among the Filipino community in Korea. END

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR DIZON-DE VEGA PARTICIPATES IN THE BUSAN DIPLOMATIC FORUM

PR MTD 94 2022 Busan Diplomatic Forum

SEOUL, 26 July 2022 — Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was invited to speak during the keynote panel of the Busan Diplomatic Forum held on 20 July 2022 at the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Chosun Hotel in Busan.

The event was attended by officials and experts from various fields, including the academe media, commerce and industry, and former and current diplomats. At the forum, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared points from the Philippine’s hosting as Chair of the 2017 ASEAN Summit, and of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in ensuring the holding of a successful, productive, and inclusive high-level activity.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, along with other Ambassadors and representatives of embassies from Africa and Latin America likewise met with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY DISCUSS PH-ROK NUCLEAR COOPERATION WITH OFFICIALS OF KOREA HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER CO. LTD

PR MTD 93 2022 Meeting with KHNP Executives

Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd executives EVP for Overseas Nuclear Business Division Nam Yoh-Shik, Section VP Kim Yongsoo, and Senior Manager Choi Younghwan. Ambassador De Vega was joined by Third Secretary Reisha Olavario and Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay.

19 July 2022, Seoul— Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd executives Nam Yoh-Shik (Executive Vice President, Project and Overseas Nuclear Business Division), Kim Yongsoo (Overseas Nuclear Business Section Vice President), and Choi Younghwan (Overseas Nuclear Business Section Senior Manager) to discuss future PH-ROK cooperation on nuclear technology and renewable energy.

During the call, Ambassador De Vega affirmed the Philippines’ interest in the focusing on a viable and sustainable Energy Plan and informed ROK that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. himself expressed interest in pursuing nuclear technology and other energy cooperation platforms with the Republic of Korea.

KHNP is the largest power generator in Korea, producing 1/3 or around 28% of Korea’s domestic demand for power through a combination of nuclear power, hydro power, pumped-storage power, and new and renewable energy. It is likewise an energy partner of twenty-nine (29) countries for global power supply.

KHNP is a long-time partner of the Philippines on energy related activities, having led the feasibility studies for the safe use of the Bataan nuclear powerplant and the Cagayan Eco Zone. The KNHP likewise shared they are trying to support more experts in the nuclear energy sector, and was pleased to share that Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) International School has a student engineer from the Philippines. The officials looked forward to further strengthening PH-ROK energy cooperation in the future. END