GOVPH

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

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

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

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

DFA STATEMENT ON THE REMARKS OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY SPOKESPERSON ON 04 MAY 2024 (ISSUED ON 5 AND 7 MAY 2024)