The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH - ROK PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN KIM SUNGWON HOSTS LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF SENIOR DEPUTY SPEAKER GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

PH-ROK Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Kim Sungwon and former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at a friendship luncheon in the National Assembly, 27 March 2023.

05 April 2023, SEOUL - Philippine-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Kim Sungwon hosted a luncheon in honor of former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 27 March 2023. At the luncheon, both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening Philippines-Republic of Korea Parliamentary relations especially in key areas of cooperation such as labor and agriculture.

Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was joined by members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc, Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and investment officials of the Philippines from the Monetary Board of the Philippines and the Clark Development Corporation. For the Republic of Korea’s part, Rep. Kim Sungwon was joined by Rep. Min Hyungbae, Vice Chair of the PH-ROK Friendship Group, Rep. Lee Jong-Bae, Rep. Han Jun-Ho and Vice President of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Park Chul-heung.

Held at the National Assembly’s Sarangjae Hanok Reception house, the lunch was a testament to the strong PH-ROK friendship in the legislative as well as the commitment of the members of the Philippine Congress to spur jobs and investments in their respective jurisdictions.

Senior Deputy Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo extended an invitation for the National Assembly members to visit the Philippines. END

Strengthening PH-ROK Parliamentary Relations. Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rep. Kim Sungwon are joined by their respective delegations. Sarangjae Reception House, National Assembly of Korea.

SENIOR DEPUTY SPEAKER GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO MEETS WITH REPUBLIC OF KOREA DEPUTY SPEAKER KIM YOUNG JOO

Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a meeting with her counterpart, Republic of Korea Deputy Speaker Kim Young Joo on 27 March 2023. Joining the former President are members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc.

04 April 2023, SEOUL - Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with her counterpart, Republic of Korea Deputy Speaker Kim Young Joo on 27 March 2023 to discuss how to further strengthen PH-ROK cooperation on important industries such as smart agriculture, labor, and renewable energy. The group also discussed technological innovations in infrastructure such as the development of smart cities.

The former President and Senior Deputy Speaker was joined by members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc including Deputy Speaker Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr., Rep. Lorna Silverio, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Rep. Anna York Bondoc, Rep. Angela Garcia, Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, Rep. Ivan Howard A. Guintu and Rep. Samuel Versoza Jr.

Deputy Speaker Kim was joined by Rep. Kwon SeongDong, Rep. Yang Geum Hee, and Rep. Han Joon-ho.

Members of the Philippine Congress expressed appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s on-going Official Development Assistance projects in their respective jurisdictions and hoped that ROK’s implementing agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), will get an increase in budget for their meaningful development work extended to districts in the Philippines. With agriculture as the main industry in Central Luzon, Philippine legislators looked forward to further cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea on agri-mechanization, smart farming, energy, and promotion of the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP).

At the end of the call, both sides recounted the shared values of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and looked forward to closely working together especially for the upcoming 75^th anniversary of Philippines - Republic of Korea relations. END

Members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc and representatives from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea after the bilateral meeting led by Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ROK Deputy Speaker Kim Youngjoo.

AMBASSADOR ELIZABETH BUENSUCESO DELIVERS SPECIAL LECTURES ON ASEAN CENTRALITY AND WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S MONTH

Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso during her special lecture at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Joining the PH Eminent Person to the High-Level Taskforce of the Post-ASEAN 2025 Community Vision are PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, heads and representatives of Diplomatic Missions in Korea, and officials of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

31 March 2023 - In commemoration of National Women’s Month, the Philippine Embassy in Korea invited Philippine Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force of the Post-ASEAN 2025 Community Vision and Foreign Affairs Adviser Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso to deliver a series of talks on the importance of ASEAN Centrality, the role of women in maintaining peace and security in ASEAN, and the post-2025 ASEAN Community vision roadmap in various Korean institutions. Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega also joined Ambassador Buensuceso in all the activities.

As a highlight of the lecture series, Ambassador Buensuceso delivered a special presentation at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) on 24 March 2023 to an audience of ROK government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Seoul, and students of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

Central to Ambassador Buensuceso’s lecture is the important role that women play in diplomacy and the Philippines’ active participation in making sure women continue to actively participate in the peace process and conflict resolution within the region through the ASEAN Women, Peace, and Security registry. She also offered her insights on the future of ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations.

Ambassador Buensuceso also delivered a special lecture on the importance of ASEAN Centrality, negotiations, and diplomatic communications to the students of the Graduate School of International Studies at the prestigious Ehwa Womans University on 22 March 2023. Ambassador Buensuceso likewise shared inspiring words to aspiring women foreign service officers based on her forty-two years of service as a Philippine diplomat.

Ambassador Buensuceso also visited the ASEAN Korea Centre in Jongno, Seoul to discuss future cooperation activities with ASEAN Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Haeyoung. The Asia Society in Korea also conducted a special interview with Ambassador Buensuceso’s as part of its Ambassador Interview series. The interview revolved around her experiences as a trailblazing Filipina diplomat. The interview series is uploaded on the Asia Society in Korea’s official page.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea held these series of informational discussions with the Republic of Korea to highlight the historical contributions of Filipinas in the diplomatic and policy-making space, share information regarding policies on women, including programs and projects in the Philippines, and underscore that gender equality is only achieved if both men and women are included in decision-making processes at all levels. END

PR MTD 37 2023 2

Left: Ambassador Buensuceso delivers a lecture at the Ehwa Womans University Graduate School of International Studies. She was received by GSIS Dean Brendan Howe, Professor Kisuk Cho, and students from diverse backgrounds. Top right: Ambassador Buensuceso donated a copy of her book, ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat to the ASEAN Korea Centre library. PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and GAD Focal Person Third Secretary Reisha Olavario also joined the activities.

PH EMBASSY AND NACC CONDUCT KYRR SEMINAR ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

PR MTD 36 2023 KYRR Intercountry Adoption

19 March 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, conducted its first Know-Your-Rights-and-Responsibilities (KYRR) Seminar Series on 19 March 2023 focusing on intercountry adoption processes. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that the topic was brought about by the increasing number of Filipino marriage migrants wishing to reunite and bring their children from prior relationships to South Korea. She expressed her gratitude to the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), a new government agency created under R.A. No. 11642, for supporting the Embassy’s advocacy of spreading awareness on legal adoption processes which would facilitate uniting families together and lessen the negative impact of migration.

For their part, NACC Undersecretary and Executive Director Janella Ejercito Estrada said that the seminar is a welcome development, noting the increasing number of multicultural families in South Korea. She also said that the NACC, which was created in January 2023 and taking over the role of the former Intercountry Adoption Board, is developing several core programs geared towards assisting overseas Filipinos in building a strong and happy family life.

The online event featured intercountry adoption experts NACC Assistant Secretary Atty. Madeline Arezu Ty Jam, NACC Unit Head Ms. Irene Fagayan, and Korea Legal Aid Corporation’s Atty. Wi Seung Yong. The speakers provided participants with the relevant information on facilitating intercountry adoption both in the Philippines and South Korea.

The KYRR seminar series is a quarterly activity initiated by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega in 2022 to equip overseas Filipinos in South Korea with the legal knowledge protecting their rights and welfare. Seminar materials from previous KYRR activities may be accessed at http://bitly.ws/BYkN. END