The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH UNDERSECRETARY FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY MEETS WITH ROK MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND SAFETY TO DISCUSS DISASTER RISK COOPERATION

PH Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Jesus “Gary” Domingo and ROK MOIS officials discuss civil defense cooperation and emergency preparedness at the ROK Ministry of Interior and Safety.

Sejong Administrative City, Republic of Korea - PH Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Jesus “Gary” S. Domingo met with ROK Ministry of Interior and Safety Director General for Civil Defense Park Jeonghyeon and Director General Kim Jeonghag of the Emergency Preparedness Policy Bureau to discuss areas of mutual interest in civil defense and disaster preparedness in a meeting at the Ministry of Interior and Safety last 14 September 2023.

Undersecretary Domingo was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary Reisha Olavario, and Special Assistant Erika Henri Laudencia during the meeting. Civil Defense Division Director Park Hyunyong joined the MOIS delegation and led an informative briefing on the ROK civil defense system.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Domingo looked forward to cooperation in future activities, such as training and education on civil defense between first responders and policymaking officials of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. He likewise emphasized the importance of close cooperation on civil defense matters, as well as emergency preparedness against natural disasters, calamities, and regional security threats. He also informed the ROK that the Philippines is open to exchanging best practices with the Republic of Korea, especially in typhoon, flood, and earthquake-related emergencies. Undersecretary Domingo also emphasized the importance of taking care of the welfare of the multicultural community in Korea, including the more than 62,000 Filipinos living in the ROK, by making foreigner-friendly announcements, applications, and signages for emergency alerts and notices.

The Philippine delegation was also given a tour of the ROK’s state-of-the-art civil defense and emergency preparedness facilities. END

PH UNDERSECRETARY JESUS DOMINGO MEETS WITH ROK DEPUTY MINISTER FOR MULTILATERAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS PARK YONG MIN

Multilateral Affairs experts PH Undersecretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin met in Seoul to discuss a wide range of topics, including the importance of enhancing multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. PH Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also joined the meeting.

SEOUL - Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin discussed ways to enhance multilateral cooperation on democracy, open government partnership, and other areas of mutual interest in a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 September 2023.

Undersecretary Domingo was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary Reisha Olavario, and Special Assistant Erika Henri Laudencia during the meeting.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Domingo affirmed the Philippine commitment to and support for multilateral activities defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights under the Summit for Democracy, as well as global efforts that aim to stop the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials under the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Undersecretary Domingo served as the Philippine head of delegation for both conferences held in Seoul and Jeju Island earlier this year. Undersecretary Domingo also conveyed the Philippine interest and readiness to further its role in these summits and ideas on how to synergize democratic and non-proliferation efforts. Undersecretary Domingo also took the opportunity to brief the Deputy Minister on Philippine initiatives in the recently-held Open Government Partnership regional meeting in Estonia where the Philippines hosted two side events highlighting the nexus between existing technologies and innovative approaches towards fiscal openness, transparency, public participation, and legislative oversight.

Undersecretary Domingo and Deputy Minister Park also had a warm and productive exchange on regional security cooperation, energy, civil defense, social and cultural development, maritime concerns, and people-to-people exchanges including training and development of young diplomats. END

PH AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY FORWARD ON STRENGTHENED PH-ROK ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH ROK MINISTER OF TRADE AHN DUKGEUN

Left: Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and ROK Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun at the Korea Chamber of Commerce in Jongno, Seoul on 22 September 2023. Right: Both sides discussed the way forward to strengthen PH-ROK economic cooperation after the historic signing of the Philippines-ROK – ROK Free Trade Agreement. Amb. De Vega was joined by the Embassy economic team, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay.

22 September 2023, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with ROK Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun on 22 September 2023 to discuss strengthened PH-ROK Economic Cooperation and the next steps following the historic signing of the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit 2023 held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ambassador De Vega conveyed that the Philippines shares the Republic of Korea’s excitement and sense of accomplishment on the signing of a dynamic and modern free trade agreement, the Philippines’ first bilateral FTA in 17 years. Ambassador De Vega provided updates on the processes currently being undertaken by the Philippine government for the agreement’s eventual entry into force. She thanked Minister Ahn and the ROK government for their help in moving the agreement forward and underscored that its timely signing is proof of strong PH-ROK relations. Ambassador De Vega also noted the importance of working together to engage the public and relevant stakeholders, including industry leaders, in promoting the incentives of the newly signed PH-ROK FTA.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn both believe in the importance of building the industry ecosystem together and likewise discussed ways the Philippines and ROK can strengthen trade, digital, green, energy, official development assistance, and infrastructure partnerships. Ambassador De Vega also highlighted that the FTA is also a valuable platform to strengthen PH-ROK cooperation in the creative industry aside from traditional areas of cooperation. Both sides also exchanged updates on PH and ROK's planned improvements in people mobility, sustainable transportation, and the digitalization of public records. The PH-ROK FTA signifies our shared commitment to shared values of prosperity and aspirations in advancing digital technology and the green economy.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn pledged to continue working together on the PH-ROK FTA and other areas of mutual concern to further strengthen the PH-ROK economic partnership. END

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega gave Minister Ahn a basket of Philippine fruits for the upcoming mid-autumn festival (Chuseok) in Korea. For the Philippines, the recently signed PH-ROK FTA opens doors to improved market access for agricultural products, such as bananas, pineapples, and various fruits. Once the FTA takes effect, Filipino agricultural producers can expect increased exports and enhanced competitiveness in South Korea’s market.

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN THE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION CONFERENCE (GICC) 2023

PHOTOCARD GICC 2023

25 September 2023, Seoul – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan participated in the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2023 held from 19 to 20 September 2023 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Secretary Bonoan was joined by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Ramon A. Arriola III during the two-day conference.

Now on its 11^th year, the GICC continuous to serve as an important venue for government agencies, private companies and multilateral development banks to build network and share recent developments in the infrastructure sector. The conference was hosted by MOLIT and organized by the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) and was attended by 60 delegates from 24 countries

Secretary Bonoan delivered his congratulatory remarks at the opening of the GICC 2023 expressing appreciation to the ROK government for extending assistance to the Philippines’ infrastructure projects. The ROK government, through the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund, assisted the Philippines in the completion of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCR), which was inaugurated on 13 July 2023 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The Philippines continues to work with the Republic of Korea on various infrastructure projects to improve travel time and boost the Philippine economy.

Secretary Bonoan also led the Philippine delegation in a high-level bilateral meeting with Minister Hee-ryong Won of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to discuss upcoming infrastructure projects and other areas for cooperation. They also met with Korean construction companies and leaders of the infrastructure industry on the sidelines of the GICC 2023. END