The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

MS. LENORE RS LIM HOLDS SOLO PRINTMAKING EXHIBITION AT THE MARU ART CENTER IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

PHOTOS – Top left: Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega delivers her welcome message. Top right: Special Remarks by artist Lenore RS Lim (Bottom photo L to R): Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Opening of Exhibition and Artist’s Reception by Ambassador Carlos Penafiel Soto of Mexico, Mr. Jose “Didi” Lim, Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Ms. Lenore RS Lim, Mr. Lee Jon-Yong, Chairman of the Diplomacy Journal, Mrs. Baek Soo-mi, Chairperson of Hansae Yes24 Foundation, and Mr. Kim Yun-tae, Director of the Multiculture Museum.

06 May 2024, Insa-dong, Seoul – Internationally acclaimed artist, Ms. Lenore RS Lim, showcased 25 intricate artworks in a solo exhibition held at the Maru Art Center, located in the vibrant and culturally rich enclave of Insa-dong in Seoul. The exhibition was held from 01 May to 06 May 2024.

Entitled, “Interwoven Horizons: A Tapestry of Philippines – Korea Relations in Art”, the art exhibit celebrates the rich cultural and diplomatic connection between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea over a span of 75 years. This exhibition showcases the mesmerizing artworks of the artist from as early as 1992 to 2022. The works skillfully capture the essence of this enduring relationship through serigraphs, etchings, prints, and abstract works highlighting our shared appreciation for art.

Photos of artworks taken at the Lenore RS Lim Exhibition held at the Maru Art Center.

Photos of artworks taken at the Lenore RS Lim Exhibition held at the Maru Art Center.

In her welcome remarks at the Artist’s Reception, Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega, conveyed “We wanted to share Lenore’s unique talent as a proud Filipino artist in this special year for Philippines – Korea relations. A 75-year partnership forged in blood and sacrifice but also buoyed by the special people-to-people relations and connections made through arts and culture.”

In her message, Ms. Lenore RS Lim said, “I am particularly humbled that, through my art, I am able to participate in celebrating a truly wonderful relationship between our two nations and people.” She likewise expressed her sincere gratitude to Ambassador Dizon – De Vega and Chairman Lee Jon-Yong of the event’s co-organizer, the Diplomacy Journal and Damwha Media Group, for making the exhibit a reality.

PHOTOS: Top: Officers and Staff from the Philippine Embassy admiring the artworks of Lenore RS Lim. Middle: Art knows no bounds, art lovers from Moscow and Seoul. Bottom L to R: Ms. Pamela Anne Isip, member of Pinoy Iskolar in Korea (PIKO) volunteer, Father Jason Antiquera, a Korea-based Filipino missionary, Lenore RS Lim, and art enthusiasts from the USA and the Philippines.

Chairman Lee offered his congratulations to Ms. Lim on her solo exhibition at the Maru Art Center. He further emphasized, that “cultural exchange through art is the best form of people-to-people exchange.”

PHOTOS: Top left: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Diplomacy Journal Chairman Lee present a Certificate of Appreciation to artist Lenore RS Lim. Top right: PH Ambassador to China Jaime Florcruz and Mrs. Cruz, Ambassador Jie-ae Sohn, Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Korea, the Artist Lenore RS Lim, Ms. Avie Felix Artist & Curator, and Mr. Jose “Didi” Lim. Bottom Left: Ms. Rina Marquez, Area Studies scholar and PH heritage advocate and Ms. Johanna Zulueta, visiting Professor of Sociology from Toyo University, Japan. Bottom right: Lenore RS Lim, with Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, Philippine Embassy and the Santos Family visiting from the Philippines.

Present during the opening reception were members from the Diplomatic Corps in Korea, prominent leaders from the business sector, Directors of government and private museums in Seoul, cultural organizations, Filipino Community members, and Korean media. Also in attendance were the Officers and staff from the Philippine Embassy and attached government agencies. Ms. Jie-ae Sohn, Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) likewise viewed the exhibit and met the artist.

Lenore RS Lim has an ongoing exhibition at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila until March 2025. END

ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR

Amb. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and ASEAN Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae Shin at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, 24 April 2024

SEOUL – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae Shin on 24 April 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and discussed ways to enhance ASEAN-Republic of Korea cooperation.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega provided perspectives on strengthening ASEAN-ROK cooperation through functional cooperation on the economic front, especially in addressing challenges in connectivity brought by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The Ambassador also invited AKC to explore possible cooperation on marine litter management and sustainability through the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity headquartered in Laguna, Philippines. The Ambassador also informed Secretary-General Kim of the numerous initiatives of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

Recognizing the active role of the Ambassador in the ASEAN Committee in Seoul, AKC Secretary General Kim lauded the Philippines’ pioneering initiatives in ASEAN-ROK cooperation and looked forward to working closely with the Philippines during his tenure as AKC Secretary General.

A friend of the Philippines, AKC Secretary General Kim holds fond memories of the country when he served as ROK Ambassador in Manila from 2015 to 2017. He was also the deputy foreign minister and a presidential secretary for foreign affairs during the 2008-2013 Lee Myung-bak administration.

END

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega (third from right) and Secretary-General Kim Jae Shin (second from right) was joined by Philippine Embassy officials Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr (AKC Executive Board Member, second from left) and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario (AKC Working Group member, rightmost) during the call.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES PH-ROK ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF RELATIONS WITH MAEKYUNG MEDIA GROUP CHAIRMAN

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Korea’s Maekyung Media Group Chairman and President Chang Dae-Hwan discuss PH-ROK economic prospects at the Malacañang Palace, in Manila, Philippines.

06 May 2024, Seoul - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sat down with Maekyung Media Group Chairman Chang Dae-hwan on 2 May 2024 to discuss the 75th anniversary of Philippines - Republic of Korea relations and the vibrant economic prospects between the two countries through the ratification of the Philippines - Republic Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This is the first in-person interview of the President with a Korean news media group.

The President discussed the importance of the PH-ROK FTA at length, which is expected to have enormous economic effects in many of our strategic industries including automobiles and automotive parts and agricultural products. He looked forward to the support of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea for the speedy ratification of the FTA. He likewise looked forward to continued Philippines – Republic of Korea cooperation in transformative infrastructure projects such as the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge Project, the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, and the modernization of the Manila International Airport with the help of Korean companies.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos conveyed his high hopes for cooperation in promising strategic areas such as energy, digitalization, critical raw minerals processing, green technology, and people-to-people exchanges. The President shared the government’s parallel efforts to strengthen the ease of doing business and other incentives for Korean companies interested in investing in the Philippines. As of 2022, the volume of trade between the two countries stood at $17.5 billion.

Founded in 1966, the Maeil Business Newspaper is an esteemed comprehensive daily business newspaper in South Korea with a circulation of 1.2 million readers. Aside from the Maeil Business newspaper, the Maekyung Media Group also operates a broadcasting network and other publications. The MBN television broadcast, whose prime-time news aired the interview, reaches 15 million viewers every day.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with MBN President and Chairman Chang Dae-Hwan prior to the interview in the Philippines. A key figure in Korean business and news circles, Chairman Chang has fond memories of the Philippines as his father served as ROK Ambassador to the Philippines under the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. END

The interview was published in the Maeil Business Newspaper and in Maekyung Group’s digital website, aside from being aired on MBN primetime news on 3 May 2024. Founded in 1966, the Mail Business Newspaper has a circulation of 1.2 million readers. The MBN television broadcast reaches 15 million viewers every day.

PH PARTICIPATES IN THE 2024 ANNUAL DIPLOMATIC PANEL OF THE KOREAN NATIONAL DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY

Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. (center, bottom photo) served as a panelist at the annual Diplomatic Panel of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy that was held at the Great Hall of the Diplomatic Center of KNDA on 15 April 2024.

15 April 2024, Seoul. The Philippines shared perspectives on the importance of consular services and assistance-to-nationals work during the annual Diplomatic Panel of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) on 15 April. Held at the Great Hall of the KNDA Diplomatic Center building, the Philippines was represented by Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

Minister and Consul General Israel underscored the deep historical connections between the Philippines-Korea which started during the Korean War. As the two countries are celebrating the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations this 2024, the Minister and Consul General also shared updates about ongoing cooperation and bilateral agreements between the Philippines and Korea in the areas of defense, people-to-people ties, legal matters, labor and welfare, culture, and tourism.

Mr. Israel likewise shared updates on the Philippines’ efforts in modernizing and digitizing its consular functions, including the newly rolled-out e-Apostille system.

The cohort of KNDA trainees also benefited from the Minister and Consul General’s years of experience in diplomatic and consular work in various regions, including North America and the Middle East. Consul General Israel was likewise able to share the priorities of a Filipino consular officer abroad, such as protecting the rights and welfare of its nationals abroad on top of daily ministerial tasks and perspectives on the Philippines’ assistance-to-nationals work, which is widely considered a gold-standard in diaspora and global migration management.

The members of the Diplomatic Panel were also invited to share their experiences as diplomats, career lessons learned, and insights on how to achieve work-life balance and how to become an effective Foreign Service Officer.

The 3-hour event was attended by thirty-four (34) Consular Officer Trainees of the KNDA, and a representative from the British Embassy who also served as one of the panelists. END