The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH EMBASSY AND THE BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES SIGNS DEED OF DONATION FOR THE PHILIPPINE STUDIES PROGRAM

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(PHOTOS – Dr. Soon Heung Chang, President of the Busan University of Foreign Studies and Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega signs the Deed of Donation for the 2025 Philippine Studies Program at the BUFS Campus, Busan, South Korea).

25 May 2025, Busan, South Korea - The Philippine Embassy and Dr. Chang Soon Heung, President of the Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS), signed a Deed of Donation on 23 May 2025, marking the second phase of the “Advancing Philippine Studies Program” (PSP) at the BUFS Campus in Busan, South Korea.

The joint initiative aims to further develop academic programs, projects, and/or activities related to Philippine history, cultures, language, and society. The main program is to develop a Filipino Micro Major Program in BUFS.

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(PHOTOS – Top: Dr. Dong Yeob Kim, Director of Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies presents the 2025 Advance Philippine Studies Program. Below: Ambassador Dizon – De Vega delivers her welcome remarks.)

In his welcoming remarks, President Chang expressed his appreciation for the active engagement of the Philippine government in advancing the development of the Philippine Studies Program, particularly in the fields of language, culture, and heritage. He further proposed expanding the program to include the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in future projects. Notably, BUFS is one of the leading universities in Korea in AI and robotics research and development, offering specialized programs for international students in Korea.

Ambassador Dizon – De Vega welcomed President Chang’s proposal and expressed support in exploring new areas of collaboration, including AI integration, expanded research partnerships, student and faculty exchanges, and other joint projects that promote and strengthen PH-Korea relations.

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Present during the signing ceremony were Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza and Cultural Officer Mr. Anthony Z. Cornista. Representing BUFS were Vice President Dr. Shin Kyoo Jae; Dean of International Affairs, Dr. Kwon Sun Hee; Director of Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Dr. Kim Donh Yeob; Philippine Studies Faculty Member Professor Cecil Hwang; International Exchange Team Leader. Mr. Kim Taejin; and International Relations Coordinator, Mr. Sanghoon Jeon. Also in attendance were faculty and students of BUFS.

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PH PARTICIPATES IN THE BRIEFING SESSION ON 21ST ASIA-PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARIANS’ CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega (fifth from left) poses for a photo with Representative and former Minister of Unification In-Young Lee (sixth from left) in a meeting organized by the Korean Parliamentarians' Coalition for Children, Population, and Environment (CPE) on 22 May 2025 at the ROK National Assembly building.

28 May 2025, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega joined Ambassadors and representatives of Asia-Pacific countries in a meeting to discuss Korea’s preparations for the 21^st Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED) General Assembly. The Korean Parliamentarians' Coalition for Children, Population, and Environment (CPE) through its Chairperson, Representative and former Minister of Unification In-Young Lee hosted the meeting at the National Assembly building on 22 May 2025.

The APPCED was established by the CPE in June of 1993 to commemorate the Rio Earth Summit. Since that time, the APPCED has provided a mechanism whereby parliamentarians could exchange views, best practices, learn about legislative trends and developments, and assist each other in ensuring that domestic legislation is responsive to global commitments on the environment. There are currently 46 countries which are members of the APPCED including the Philippines. END

PHL EMBASSY ADMINISTERS OATH TO OFFICERS OF ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO EDUCATORS IN KOREA AND DAEGU FILIPINO COMMUNITY COUNCIL-NONGONG

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25 May 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, recognized and administered the oath-taking of the officers of two (2) Filipino community organizations, namely: the Association of Filipino Educators in Korea (AFEK) and Daegu Filipino Community Council-Nongong (DFCC-Nongong). The latter organization was also awarded their Certificate of Registration, which symbolizes and reaffirms their commitment to help protect and promote the general welfare and interests of the Filipino community.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega warmly welcomed the officers of AFEK and DFCC-Nongong to the Philippine Embassy and into the broader Filipino community network in South Korea. She commended both groups for taking the initiative to organize and formally join the ranks of recognized Filipino organizations, emphasizing the importance of collective action and mutual support among overseas Filipinos.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy’s continued commitment to working closely with Filipino community groups to ensure that initiatives on migrant welfare, cultural promotion, and reintegration are inclusive, impactful, and attuned to the realities faced by Filipinos living and working in South Korea.

Witnessing the recognition and oath-taking were Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, and MWO-Seoul OIC Manolo Barotilla.

The Philippine Embassy continues to accept new registration, renewal, or administration of oaths for the induction of newly elected officers of Filipino community organizations in South Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.philembassy-seoul.com/filipino_community.asp. END

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PHL EMBASSY EXPLORES COOPERATION WITH SEOUL GLOBAL CENTER TO SUPPORT FILIPINO NATIONALS IN SEOUL

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21 May 2025, Seoul. Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza met with representatives of the Seoul Global Center (SGC) on 22 April 2025 to discuss potential areas of cooperation between the Philippine Embassy and the Center in support of the Filipino community and other foreign residents in Seoul.

The Seoul Global Center delegation was composed of Ms. Mihyun Go (Elena), Manager of the Settlement Support Team; Ms. Song Hee, Team Leader of the Settlement Support Team; and Mr. Kwon Bo Geun, Director of the Seoul Global Center. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on possible joint initiatives that would enhance the welfare and integration of Filipino nationals and other foreign residents in the Republic of Korea. Also present in the meeting was ATN Officer Ms. Fatima Tabio and MWO-Seoul’s representative Apolonio Alvarez, Jr.

Discussions covered a range of collaborative efforts, including career planning and support for Filipino students studying in Korea, the conduct of educational seminars for foreign residents, and the co-hosting of cultural events that promote multicultural understanding. The two parties also explored opportunities for business consultation services for Filipino entrepreneurs, as well as the implementation of welfare programs focusing on psychological and mental health support for migrants.

Both sides expressed mutual interest in strengthening coordination and fostering inclusive programs aimed at empowering the migrant community. The Philippine Embassy looks forward to further engagement with the Seoul Global Center in the shared goal of promoting the well-being of Filipinos in South Korea. END