The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

DFA OFFICE OF MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS CONDUCTS ATN MANAGEMENT AUDIT MISSION IN SOUTH KOREA

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04 January 2023, Seoul. The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) conducted the first Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Management Audit Mission in South Korea on 21 to 22 December 2023. Led by Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. De Vega, the DFA-OUMWA team conducted four key activities, including a management audit on the smooth transition of ATN work between the Embassy’s ATN Section and the new Migrant Workers Office-Seoul (MWO, formerly POLO); meeting with the Seoul Women Migrants’ Center led by Director Joohee Kwon and Filipino counselor Cecil Park on welfare concerns of Filipino marriage migrants; jail visit and welfare check on six (6) Filipino inmates serving long sentences; and town hall meeting with the Filipino community on critical concerns.

During the townhall meeting, the DFA-OUMWA team presented the distinction between the ATN work of the DFA/Embassy and the Department of Migrant Workers/MWO. Undersecretary De Vega also responded to various inquiries, including on dual citizenship, divorce laws, and family reintegration, among others. He emphasized the important role played by Filipino community leaders, underscoring their engagement in not only bridging the gap between the community and external entities but also serving as communication channels to the community especially in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega stressed the Embassy’s enduring commitment to support the Filipino community, and offered insights into Embassy initiatives scheduled for 2024, designed to foster a greater sense of community and ensure that the Filipino diaspora experiences are highlighted and supported.

The DFA-OUMWA team also met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Bureau of Consular Affairs and Safety led by Deputy Minister Hong Seok-In and which oversees the recently created Overseas Korean Agency. The meeting yielded positive outcomes, as the MOFA-BCAS affirmed its support to key initiatives commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Korea in 2024, particularly in the area of migration.

The DFA-OUMWA team is composed of Undersecretary De Vega, Special Assistant Charleson C. Hermosura, and ATN Officers Raymund C. Ondiano, Caroline Villanueva Mendoza and Zyra Belle L. Capar. The DFA-OUMWA team was supported by the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo-Cornista, and ATN Officers Fatima Tabio and Jay-Ar Casabar. END

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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY RECOGNIZED AT END OF YEAR EVENTS

Philippine Embassy in Seoul receives citations from the Korea Importers Association (top photo), Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (middle photo) and Korea Consumer Global Council (below photo) for various programs, initiatives, and milestones achieved in 2023.

26 December 2023, Seoul. Programs and initiatives of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul were recognized at end of year events in December by various Korean entities.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega was recognized by the Korea Consumer Global Council for the Embassy’s programs on promoting people-to-people, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Korea in 2023 at the KCGC annual yearend event on 29 November 2023 at the Korea Press Center. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega is now a two-time recipient of the Best Ambassador Award presented by the Korea Consumer Brand Awards. In 2022, the Ambassador and the Embassy were cited for their pro-active work on migration and multicultural matters.

The winners of the Korea Consumer Brand Awards 2023 include National Assembly Member Lee Jong-bae of North Chuncheong Province for the best legislator category. Ambassadors H.E. Thant Sin, Ambassador of Myanmar to the Republic of Korea and H.E. Mohammed Bensabri, Ambassador of Algeria to the Republic of Korea also received recognition. Forty (40) Korean companies were also awarded for excellent ESG policies and best brands in recognition of their efforts to provide best service to consumers.

On 7 December, the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) conferred its annual KOIMA Award on Ambassador Dizon-de Vega and the Ambassadors of India, Georgia, Lithuania, and Ukraine for outstanding contributions to enhancing trade relations with Korea. KOIMA is the oldest and leading Importers Group in Korea responsible for partnering with Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in organizing international trade missions and expos. The Philippine Ambassador was cited for efforts towards the finalization and signing of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement in September 2023 as well as the Philippines being one of the most active country participants in the annual KOIMA Importers Expo. The award was conferred by KOIMA Chair Kim Byung Kwan and witnessed by MOTIE 1^st Vice Minister Youngjin Jang.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and the Embassy also received a citation on 16 December 2023 from Korean Minister of Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Yu In Chon for service in support of campaigns to promote respect on the internet and for foreigners in Korea. The citation was given at the annual Appreciation event of the SunFull Foundation held at Chung-Ang University College of Law.

The Embassy’s programs and initiatives under the one-country team approach will continue to be promoted and implemented in 2024. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY VISITS DEMILITARIZED ZONE AND JOINT SECURITY AREA

Members of the Philippine Embassy Team with Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega and Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega at the Joint Security Area. Members of the UN Command briefed members of the Philippine Embassy on the history of the Demilitarized Zone and the Joint Security Area. It was the first time for many of the members of the frontline and operations section to see Panmunjom and the JSA.

28 December 2023, DMZ – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul extends its appreciation to the United Nations Command for facilitating an informative and enriching tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Joint Security Area (JSA) for the members of the Philippine Embassy, particularly our frontline and operations section on 28 December 2023. The tour was an opportunity to remember the shared sacrifices of UN Sending States, including the Philippines, and the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The Philippines is one of the first nations to answer the call of the United Nations Command to help the Republic of Korea fight for its democracy and freedom during the Korean War from 1950 to 1955. The Philippines sent a total of 7,420 troops, of whom 116 were killed in action, 229 were wounded, 57 went missing, and 41 were captured and repatriated. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to honor the service and sacrifice of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) and reaffirms its commitment as a Sending State of the United Nations Command. END

Right: A commemorative plaque for the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in the Joint Security Area details the number of troops sent to help the Republic of Korea fight for its democracy and freedom. Left: Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy learn more about the Demilitarized Zone through a briefing provided by the UN Command and members of the ROK Army.

PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTS TOURISM AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS UNDER PH-ROK FTA AT KOREA HERALD GLOBAL BIZ FORUM KOREA HERALD

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega invites investors to consider the Philippines as their next business and investment destination during the 4^th Korea Herald Business Forum held in Mondrian Hotel, Seoul.

20 December 2023, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega highlighted opportunities for enhanced economic and tourism partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea once the Philippines – Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement takes effect during the Korea Herald Global Biz Forum held on 7 December 2023 at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

During her keynote, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega emphasized that the FTA can lead to strategic investments in priority sectors for both the Philippines and South Korea, saying, “For South Korea, one major area of interest is to be more competitive in the automotive and automotive parts sectors. A substantial number of priority tariff lines for Korea were eliminated. This would create a huge opportunity for Korean manufacturers in this sector to access the close to 114 million Filipino market based on projections. The Philippines is likewise hopeful that the tariff reduction will increase the interest of Korean companies to invest in the Philippines.”

Aside from this sector, the Philippines looks forward to more interest in new areas of cooperation in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, critical minerals, energy, green technology including green transport, and the creative industries, among others.

The Ambassador also highlighted active people-to-people exchanges, especially in two-way travel. “Tourism is most impactful and effective if it works both ways,” the Ambassador said, noting that an increasing number of Koreans are favoring the Philippines due to its proximity to Korea, beautiful tropical destinations, and the popularity of Filipino culture and cuisine, and products. South Korea has once again become the leading source of tourists for the Philippines, with 1,271,602 visitors as of November 2023. Likewise, more Filipinos are seeing Korea as a favored destination.

Organized by the Korea Herald, South Korea’s largest English newspaper, the Global Biz Forum is attended by leading Korean CEOs and business owners looking to expand their access to the international market and create more trade and investment opportunities. The Global Biz Forum is also an opportunity for industry leaders to discuss the trends in the Korean economy, especially in travel and business.

Aside from Ambassador Dizon-de Vega, Korea Tourism Organization President Kim Jang-sil discussed Korea’s tourism potential and business environment and the remarkable growth of Korean cultural diplomacy which he attributed to the nation’s high global competitiveness. END

Top left and right: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega with Korea Herald CEO Choi Jinyoung. Bottom left: Korea Tourism Organization President Kim Jang-sil discussed trends in the Republic of Korea including films and music.