The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

ROK’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, KAI, and Warm Day Association sign MOU Recognizing Philippine Contributions to the Korean War

PR MTD 91 2024

24 July 2024, Seoul. Korea’s Minister for Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jung-ai signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Mr. Kang Goo-Young,CEO of Korea Aerospace Inc. (KAI) and Mr. Kim Gwang-il, Head of Warm Day Association on 21 June 2024, for the provision of continued support for Filipino veterans in the Korean War and their descendants. Along with these activities, the private sector likewise pledged to undertake other charitable and civic projects in the Philippines including health-related missions.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Mr. Kim Yoon-Soo, President of the Association of the Bereaved Families of the Korean War.

In her congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Dizon-de Vega shared that the signing is taking place during a milestone year commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea. She added that, “our enduring relationship was forged when the Philippines became the fifth country in the world to recognize South Korea and solidified when the Philippines stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Korea during the war in defense of democracy.”

Minister Kang assured that the Korean Government and people will never forget the shared sacrifices of Filipino soldiers fighting alongside their Korean counterparts and other nationals.

The Philippines sent 7,420 soldiers during the Korean War under the Philippine Expeditionary Force in Korea (PEFTOK) and engagement on veterans affairs between the Philippines and Korea continues to this day. END

PH EMBASSY WELCOMES LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF PILAR, SORSOGON

Top: Members of the Pilar, Sorsogon LGU led by Mayor Carolyn Sy-Reyes visited the Philippine Embassy in Korea on 23 July 2024. Bottom: The delegation visited the Incheon Free Economic Zone to learn best practices in city planning and infrastructure development. The delegation was accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

25 July 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed Honorable Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes and the Municipal Officials of Pilar, Sorsogon to the Philippine Embassy on 23 July 2024. The Municipal Officials are in the Republic of Korea for a benchmarking activity from 19 to 25 July 2024.

The Philippine Embassy facilitated briefing sessions for the delegation at the Incheon Smart City Corporation and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Promotion Center where they were able to learn city planning processes during the development and creation of the Songdo Smart City.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also welcomed the delegation at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega highlighted the impact of sub-national cooperation and encouraged the delegation to enhance city-to-city partnerships to improve city competitiveness and promote city development. END

Top: Members of the Pilar, Sorsogon LGU led by Mayor Carolyn Sy-Reyes listen to Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario during the delegation briefing held at Philippine Embassy in Korea on 23 July 2024. Bottom: Mayor Carolyn Sy-Reyes proudly showcased Pilar, Sorsogon handicrafts to Ambassador Dizon-De Vega including abaca baskets made from unique weaving techniques known only to Sorsogon.

PHL EMBASSY WELCOMES FILIPINO STUDENTS IN SECOND SUMMER SALO-SALO EVENT

PR MTD 89 2024

20 July 2024, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed Filipino students in South Korea to the second “Summer Salo-Salo” event on 20 July 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. Around 70 students attended the gathering, designed to bring together Filipino students from different learning institutions in South Korea. The students likewise took part in fun games and enjoyed Filipino food.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega warmly welcomed students to South Korea, encouraging them to seize every available opportunity to be engaged in their respective fields of study and research. She also highlighted the significance of 2024, marking the 75th anniversary of Philippines-South Korea diplomatic relations.

Part of the 75th anniversary activities is the Embassy’s collaboration with the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) on an academic colloquium entitled SiyentiPIKO to be conducted in September 2024, signifying the Embassy’s unwavering commitment to supporting Filipino students as they pursue their various academic interests in South Korea. The Ambassador reassured the students that the Philippine Embassy would serve as their home away from home, offering a steadfast support system during their stay in South Korea.

As of May 2024, South Korea is home to at least 600 Filipino students who are taking various courses in the fields of language, art, business, development, medicine, engineering, and science and technology, among others. A number of students are members of PIKO, a registered Filipino community organization which was founded in 2006 and promotes unity and camaraderie among students, facilitates exchange of relevant information on both cultural and social issues, and liaises with relevant offices and organizations on student concerns. Filipino students living in South Korea who may need further information on relevant matters may contact the Philippine Embassy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END

PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTOR DISCUSS STREAMLINING TRAVEL SERVICES FOR KOREAN TOURISTS AND HOP-ON HOP-OFF TRAVEL BY THE HUBS INITIATIVE

DOT NCR HOHO

23 July 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul pushed for streamlining of travel services for the benefit of South Korean tourists bound for the Philippines during a meeting with the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) led by Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin and Philippine government officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and private sector representatives from the travel operator and tourism marketing sector.

The group visited the Republic of Korea from 17 to 19 June 2024 to conduct a transit tour benchmarking activity in line with the Department of Tourism’s Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Travel by the Hubs Initiative. The DOT project was launched in 2023 with Manila as a pilot hub and is currently being expanded to Makati, Taguig, Quezon City and other cities to highlight the major tourist destinations within Metro Manila, and later on to Cebu and other major transit points in the country.

On 17 June 2024, Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. joined by Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo, welcomed the delegation for a courtesy visit at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. During the meeting, the officials briefed the Embassy on the current tourism promotion efforts as well as immigration and customs updates and policies in the Philippines.

The Embassy took the opportunity to raise the need to streamline processes for customs and immigration for tourists to ensure that Korean travelers have a pleasant and seamless experience from their arrival to departure from the Philippines. South Korean inbound tourist arrivals currently dominate the Philippine tourism market share at 25.99% as of June 2024.

The BI and BOC also agreed to collaborate with the Embassy for a town hall with the Filipino community in Korea to better educate OFWs/OFs, including those with Korean families, about travelers' or air passengers’ rights and obligations and update them on any new developments and regulations. The town hall will also be an opportunity to raise questions and suggestions based on their travel experiences.

The Philippine Embassy continues to work with the Philippine tourism sector to ensure seamless travel and improved tourism services in the Philippines. END