The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY MEETS WITH GYEONGSANGBUK-DO AND GUMI CITY OFFICIALS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION FOR APEC 2025 AND THE ASIAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and the Philippine Embassy team had productive discussions with Gumi City officials headed by H.E. Seokhee KANG, Ambassador for International Relations of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province on 20 January 2025.

Seoul, South Korea – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul met with officials of Gyeongsanbuk-do Province and Gumi City on 20 January 2025 to discuss avenues for cooperation in preparation for the upcoming 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and the Asian Athletics Championship which will be held in Gumi City, two highly-anticipated events that highlight regional collaboration and excellence.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and the Philippine Embassy team had productive discussions with H.E. Seokhee KANG, Ambassador for International Relations of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and accompanying officials from Gumi City.

The meeting focused on fostering partnerships in key areas such as logistics, event management, cultural exchanges, and athlete preparation. Both sides agreed on the importance of collaboration in ensuring the success of these upcoming major international events.

Ambassador Kang expressed Gyeonsangbuk-do Province and Gumi City’s commitment to working closely with the Embassy.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise said that events such as APEC and the Asian Athletics Championship serve to place the region in the spotlight, deepen people-to-people ties, and promote regional connectivity. “The 2025 APEC Summit and the Asian Athletics Championship are milestone activities for fostering unity, driving the economy, and showcasing the talents and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region,” the Ambassador said.

The discussions also explored potential cultural exchange programs, trade and investment opportunities, and initiatives to promote tourism between the Philippines, Gyeonsangbuk-do Province and Gumi City, further strengthening bilateral relations.

Philippine Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, and Trade Specialist Aija Jeon during the meeting.

Gumi City, located in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province, is a thriving industrial and cultural hub renowned for its innovation and active role in international collaboration. END

Ambassador Kang was joined by Mr. Youngchul KIM, Director General of Economic Affairs, Ms. Tae Ran YOO, Director for Investment Promotion, Ms. Mi Young OH, Head of International Trade Team, Mr. Youngsang CHO, Head of the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships Support Team and Mr. Jeonghun BYEON, Assistant Director of the International Trade Team of Gumi City. Philippine Ambassador Dizon-De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, and Trade Specialist Aija Jeon during the meeting.

PHILIPPINES BATS FOR MORE CULTURAL COLLABORATION AT THE ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE 17th ANNUAL COUNCIL DIRECTOR’S MEETING PHILIPPINES BATS FOR MORE CULTURAL COLLABORATION AT THE ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE 17th ANNUAL COUNCIL DIRECTOR’S MEETING

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, represented the Philippines at the ASEAN-Korea Centre 17^th Annual Council Director’s Meeting on 13 February 2025. She was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

Seoul, 13 February 2025 - The ASEAN-Korea Center convened its 17th Annual Meeting of the Council of the ASEAN-Korea Center on 13 February 2025 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul. The Council, consisting of high-ranking government officials from the 10 ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), assessed the outcomes of FY2024 programs and approved the proposed programs and budget for FY2025.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, represented the Philippines at the meeting in her capacity as the Council Director. She was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

During the meeting, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega conveyed the Philippines support for AKC projects focused on sustainable innovation on the ESG agenda, its new promotional space for interactive cultural and tourism promotions in Seoul, increased public diplomacy outreach to journalists, human resources management trainings, and more in-depth discussion on ASEAN-ROK relations during the annual Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. “The Philippines is also prepared to augment the AKC’s cultural collection,” the Ambassador said, while congratulating the AKC Cultural Unit for its dedicated work in promoting ASEAN culture and tourism in the Republic of Korea.

Central to the goal of the ASEAN-Korea Centre is to promote and strengthen ASEAN-Korea relations, enhance public understanding of ASEAN and the ROK, and uphold AKC's role as a leading international organization dedicated to promoting ASEAN-Korea cooperation across all sectors--including trade and investment, cultural and tourism, and information and data.

The ASEAN-Korea Center (AKC) also reviewed the significant activities commemorating diplomatic milestones in 2024, including the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations and the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). These included the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership 2024, the Unveiling Ceremony of Jeju Olle Trail 8 Route: ASEAN-Korea Olle, the Launching Seminar of the Korean ESG Guidebook, and the ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit.

Members of the Council likewise anticipated the way forward of ASEAN, including the release of the ASEAN Vision 2045. The Council Directors also conveyed their support for AKC’s plans to initiate more projects focusing on building more ASEAN Promotional Spaces in Seoul and expanding its engagement with diverse audiences -- including opinion leaders, journalists, and future generations -- while advancing sustainability efforts including ESG.

A dinner reception followed the meeting, with congratulatory remarks delivered by H.E. Kang Insun, Second Vice Foreign Minister of Korea who reaffirmed The ROK government’s support for furthering ASEAN-ROK relations and the ASEAN-Korea Centre. END

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega serves as the Philippine representative to the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s Council Directors Meeting. During its 17^th iteration, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega called for closer cultural collaboration between ASEAN and ROK to further mutual understanding and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

PARAGUAY AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO FURTHER PHILIPPINE – PARAGUAY RELATIONS

H.E. Miguel Angel Ubaldino Romero Alvarez, paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Ambassador to South Korea, H.E. Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 111 February 2025. Ambassador Romero oversees Philippine-Paraguay relations, as a non-resident Ambassador of Paraguay to the Philippines.

Seoul, 11 February 2025 - The Ambassador of Paraguay to South Korea, H.E. Miguel Angel Ubaldino Romero Alvarez, paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Ambassador to South Korea, H.E. Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Paraguay and explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and cultural exchanges. Ambassador Romero oversees Philippine-Paraguay relations, as a non-resident Ambassador-designate of Paraguay to the Philippines.

During the discussions, both envoys emphasized the shared values between the two nations and expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on multilateral collaboration, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as agriculture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega highlighted the growing engagement between the Philippines and Latin American countries, including Paraguay. The meeting concluded with both ambassadors expressing optimism for future initiatives to further solidify ties between their respective countries. END

DTI PHILIPPINES AND KOREA TRADE NETWORK HOLDS 2ND INVITATIONAL PROGRAM IN SEOUL

Top: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega (7th from left) with the DTI Export Marketing Bureau and members of the Korea Trade Network during the Invitational Program for the Implementation of the FTA Origin Management System (OMS) Project last 13-25 January 2025 in Seoul.

07 February 2025, Seoul – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Export Marketing Bureau, and the Korea Trade Network jointly held the 2^nd Invitational Program for the Implementation of the FTA Origin Management System (OMS) Project last 13-25 January 2025 in Seoul.

15 participants – representing the DTI, Board of Investments, Bureau of Customs, Tariff Commission, and the Department of Agriculture – participated in the program that served as a platform to discuss best practices in the operationalization and utilization of similar systems in Korea. These government agencies are responsible in servicing export and import processes and requirements in the Philippines.

During the 2-week long program, several components of the Project were discussed, such as, (i) the OMS design and the digitalization of the Product Evaluation Report (PER) management system; (ii) the utilization plan for the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement; and (iii) origin determination, post-verification, and Country of Origin issuance processes.

To equip participants with deeper understanding of FTA utilization and gain insights into Korea’s best practices, visits to Korean government agencies and industrial sites were also organized, such as to the National Information Resources Service, Busan Port Authority, Hyundai Asan Plant, Samsung Innovation Center, Kolmar Korea, and Amorepacific Factory, among others.

The Origin Management System Project aims to promote the use of FTAs in the Philippines while enhancing administrative efficiency for the Philippine government and reducing processing time and costs for Philippine MSME exporters.

Supported by the Korean Government, through the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, the project comprises consulting, system development, and capacity building and activation support across 30 months.

The first component of the project, the Philippine FTAs Information Portal (FIP), was officially launched in December 2024 during the National Exporters’ Week in Manila. The FIP provides a comprehensive set of FTAs and GSP-related resources, which includes export guidelines, utilization data, and a rules of origin simulator, among others.

The second component of the project, the FTA Origin Management System, is expected to be completed within the year. Consultations with and training sessions for Philippine exporters, as well as system pilot tests, are planned for the first half of 2025.

“We thank the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and the Korea Trade Network for their utmost support that makes this project possible. The completion of this project comes at a very opportune time as we jointly implement the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The implementation of this project will not only strengthen Philippine exports but will also benefit national economic development and further promote national innovation in the Philippines. We look forward to working more closely with Korea on synergistic initiatives that benefit both our countries,” says Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Korea.

To know more about Philippine FTAs, visit the portal at https://philippineftas.dti.gov.ph/. END

Philippine delegates to the 2nd Invitational Program on the Implementation of the FTA Origin Management System (OMS) Project last 13-25 January 2025 in Seoul. They are joined by Commercial Attaché Charmaigne Mignon S. Yalong of PTIC-Seoul.