GOVPH

DFA OFFICE OF MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS CONDUCTS ATN MANAGEMENT AUDIT MISSION IN SOUTH KOREA

04 January 2023, Seoul. The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) conducted the first Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Management Audit Mission in South Korea on 21 to 22 December 2023. Led by Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. De Vega, the DFA-OUMWA team conducted four key activities, including a management audit on the smooth transition of ATN work between the Embassy’s ATN Section and the new Migrant Workers Office-Seoul (MWO, formerly POLO); meeting with the Seoul Women Migrants’ Center led by Director Joohee Kwon and Filipino counselor Cecil Park on welfare concerns of Filipino marriage migrants; jail visit and welfare check on six (6) Filipino inmates serving long sentences; and town hall meeting with the Filipino community on critical concerns.

During the townhall meeting, the DFA-OUMWA team presented the distinction between the ATN work of the DFA/Embassy and the Department of Migrant Workers/MWO. Undersecretary De Vega also responded to various inquiries, including on dual citizenship, divorce laws, and family reintegration, among others. He emphasized the important role played by Filipino community leaders, underscoring their engagement in not only bridging the gap between the community and external entities but also serving as communication channels to the community especially in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega stressed the Embassy’s enduring commitment to support the Filipino community, and offered insights into Embassy initiatives scheduled for 2024, designed to foster a greater sense of community and ensure that the Filipino diaspora experiences are highlighted and supported.

The DFA-OUMWA team also met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Bureau of Consular Affairs and Safety led by Deputy Minister Hong Seok-In and which oversees the recently created Overseas Korean Agency. The meeting yielded positive outcomes, as the MOFA-BCAS affirmed its support to key initiatives commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Korea in 2024, particularly in the area of migration.

The DFA-OUMWA team is composed of Undersecretary De Vega, Special Assistant Charleson C. Hermosura, and ATN Officers Raymund C. Ondiano, Caroline Villanueva Mendoza and Zyra Belle L. Capar. The DFA-OUMWA team was supported by the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo-Cornista, and ATN Officers Fatima Tabio and Jay-Ar Casabar. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY RECOGNIZED AT END OF YEAR EVENTS

26 December 2023, Seoul. Programs and initiatives of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul were recognized at end of year events in December by various Korean entities.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega was recognized by the Korea Consumer Global Council for the Embassy’s programs on promoting people-to-people, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Korea in 2023 at the KCGC annual yearend event on 29 November 2023 at the Korea Press Center. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega is now a two-time recipient of the Best Ambassador Award presented by the Korea Consumer Brand Awards. In 2022, the Ambassador and the Embassy were cited for their pro-active work on migration and multicultural matters.

The winners of the Korea Consumer Brand Awards 2023 include National Assembly Member Lee Jong-bae of North Chuncheong Province for the best legislator category. Ambassadors H.E. Thant Sin, Ambassador of Myanmar to the Republic of Korea and H.E. Mohammed Bensabri, Ambassador of Algeria to the Republic of Korea also received recognition. Forty (40) Korean companies were also awarded for excellent ESG policies and best brands in recognition of their efforts to provide best service to consumers.

On 7 December, the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) conferred its annual KOIMA Award on Ambassador Dizon-de Vega and the Ambassadors of India, Georgia, Lithuania, and Ukraine for outstanding contributions to enhancing trade relations with Korea. KOIMA is the oldest and leading Importers Group in Korea responsible for partnering with Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in organizing international trade missions and expos. The Philippine Ambassador was cited for efforts towards the finalization and signing of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement in September 2023 as well as the Philippines being one of the most active country participants in the annual KOIMA Importers Expo. The award was conferred by KOIMA Chair Kim Byung Kwan and witnessed by MOTIE 1^st Vice Minister Youngjin Jang.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and the Embassy also received a citation on 16 December 2023 from Korean Minister of Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Yu In Chon for service in support of campaigns to promote respect on the internet and for foreigners in Korea. The citation was given at the annual Appreciation event of the SunFull Foundation held at Chung-Ang University College of Law.

The Embassy’s programs and initiatives under the one-country team approach will continue to be promoted and implemented in 2024. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY VISITS DEMILITARIZED ZONE AND JOINT SECURITY AREA

28 December 2023, DMZ – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul extends its appreciation to the United Nations Command for facilitating an informative and enriching tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Joint Security Area (JSA) for the members of the Philippine Embassy, particularly our frontline and operations section on 28 December 2023. The tour was an opportunity to remember the shared sacrifices of UN Sending States, including the Philippines, and the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The Philippines is one of the first nations to answer the call of the United Nations Command to help the Republic of Korea fight for its democracy and freedom during the Korean War from 1950 to 1955. The Philippines sent a total of 7,420 troops, of whom 116 were killed in action, 229 were wounded, 57 went missing, and 41 were captured and repatriated. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to honor the service and sacrifice of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) and reaffirms its commitment as a Sending State of the United Nations Command. END