The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

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.

SUNFULL Foundation of Korea, PH Officials, Business and Civic Leaders Support Respect Online and for Foreign Nationals

[Above Left] Sunfull Foundation Chairman Dr. Min Byoung-chul presenting a plaque of appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at the Speaker’s Office. [Above Right] The Sunfull Foundation delegation led by Dr. Min Byoung-chul (7^th from left) and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (7^th from right) are joined by other House leaders and members, including Rep. Marissa Magsino, Rep. Migs Nograles, Rep. David Suarez and Rep. Rodrigo Gutierrez. [Below Left] Rep. Ron Salo receiving Dr. Min, accompanied by Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and Mr. Kim Sang-Gon of Sunfull Foundation; [Below Center] Rep. Magsino and Dr. Min at her office after signing the Sunfull Internet Peace Pledge. [Below Right] Dr. Min and core members of the Sunfull delegation were introduced during the HOR’s Plenary Session on December 6. Dr. Min is flanked in the photo by Rep. Magsino and Rep. Florida Robes (3^rd and 5^th from left, respectively).

28 December 2023, Seoul. A delegation from the Sunfull Foundation of Korea, composed of civic and business leaders, conducted a second visit to Manila from 06-09 December 2023 to promote their advocacy against cyberbullying, hate speech and human rights violations on the Internet as well as to introduce its newly-launched K-Respect campaign for foreigners and multicultural families in Korea.

Led by its founding Chairman, Dr. Min Byoung-chul, the delegation called on House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and other members of the House of Representatives where their campaign to spread positivity and civility in cyberspace or “Internet Peace”, as well as “K-Respect” was met with a warm welcome.

More than 40 members of the House of Representatives signed off on the Internet Peace pledge with OFW Party-list Representative Marissa Magsino and KABAYAN Party-list Ron Salo helping the campaign get off to a quick start as the first two signatories.

Rep. Magsino, designated as the newest Sunfull Ambassador in the Philippines due to her active voluntary support, soon after introduced House Bill No. 9771 or the “Anti-Cyberbullying Against Children Act”.

The Sunfull Foundation, established in May 2007 in response to a celebrity’s suicide after being targeted by hateful comments online, first visited the Philippines in 2019 and was able to gather 12 signatures through a Resolution filed by Rep. Florida Robes.

An appreciation dinner co-hosted by Sunfull and the Philippine Embassy in Korea was held on December 7 at the Manila Hotel where Dr. Min made a presentation on the genesis of Sunfull’s advocacies and gave out special plaques of appreciation to valued Korean and Filipino supporters. The guests included Rep. Magsino, Commission on Filipinos Overseas Chair Sec. Romulo V. Arugay, Korean Embassy in Manila Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Sang Seung-man, Korea National Police Agency and Head of Interpol-Seoul Director General Lee Hyeong-se, and former Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis Cruz and former Philippine Ambassador to Singapore and Australia Mindy Calaguian-Cruz, Pasig City Administrator Atty. Jeron Manzanero, and Pasig City Councilor Simon Romulo Tantoco. The following day the Foundation hosted a networking evening with members of the Philippines-Korea Economic Council (PHILKOREC) led by its Chairman Mr. Robert Yupangco, CEO of Zoomanity Group and Yupangco Holdings Corporation as well as members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

The Embassy continues to partner with Sunfull Foundation and other like-minded organizations in pursuit of its mandate to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino nationals overseas and looks forward to strengthening the bilateral relations at various levels and aspects between the Philippines and South Korea, which will mark 75^th years of diplomatic relations in March 2024. END

[Above] Sunfull Foundation dinner reception for the Philippines-Korea Economic Council (PHILKOREC), including Mr. Robert Yupangco, Chairman (6^th from left): Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Enunina “Nina” Mangio (leftmost); Mr. Francis Manglapus (seated, 3^rd from right) and Honorary Consul General of Estonia Mr. Fernando Pena (standing, 3^rd from right); [Below] Sunfull Foundation and PHILKOREC members holding the Sunfull Peace Movement and K-Respect banner for the promotion of a safer and kinder cyberspace for all.