The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

EMBASSY COMMEMORATES 127TH MARTYRDOM OF DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

PHOTOS – Above: DFA Undersecretary and Sir Eduardo Jose De Vega, KGOR Commander, Foreign Service Chapter (6^th from left⁾and Sir Romulo Victor Israel, Jr. KCR, Commander, Korea Chapter (5^th from left) with Officers of the Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter. Below: Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega at the Wreath-Laying Ceremony with Sir Eduardo De Vega and Sir Romulo Victor Israel, Jr. and Officers of the Knights of Rizal - Korea Chapter.

A simple yet meaningful ceremony spearheaded by the Knights of Rizal-Korea Chapter commemorating the 127th martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was held at the Philippine Embassy – Sentro Rizal on 30 December 2023.

With the theme “Rizal: Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Isinasabuhay Ngayon”, the solemn early morning rites, which featured a floral offering to the national hero, aimed to pay tribute to his enduring legacy of excellence and patriotism as a cornerstone in building a strong and progressive national identity.

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, in her heartfelt message, expressed the profound impact of Rizal's love of country on the nation. She emphasized the living imprint of his heroism and the inspiration it continues to provide to the present generation.

Honored guest Sir Eduardo De Vega, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, also underscored the significance of Dr. Jose Rizal in the annals of Philippine history. He highlighted Rizal's pivotal role in shaping the nation's destiny and the relevance of the principles he taught, fought, lived and died for in contemporary times. Undersecretary De Vega reminded attendees of the poignant last moments of Rizal, particularly his unwavering commitment to serving the country and his ultimate sacrifice in laying down his life for the freedom and dignity of the Filipino people.

The event also provided an opportunity for the Knights of Rizal-Korea Chapter and attendees from the Embassy and Filipino community to once again recall and reflect on the life, ideals and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It served as a reminder of the responsibility each citizen bears in putting into action the values of love for country, courage, and selfless service for the greater good, to carry on the legacy left behind by the national hero.

The Philippine Embassy will continue to hold national commemorative events in 2024, which also marks the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. END

MANILA COUNCILOR VISITS PHILIPPINE EMBASSY TO DISCUSS CITY-TO-CITY COOPERATION

Manila Councilor Numero Uno Lim called on CDA Romulo Victor Israel Jr. on 11 January 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. The Councilor turned over a special commemorative coin celebrating the 450^th anniversary of Manila as a city as a token of appreciation.

11 January 2024, Seoul. Manila City Councilor Numero “Uno” Lim called on Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Romulo Victor Israel Jr. at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to discuss city-to-city cooperation, building international linkages, and Philippines – Republic of Korea relations.

Manila is home to one of the largest Korean communities in the Philippines. The city is also the location of the newly-established Manila Korea Town in Remedios Circle, Malate which brings a slice of South Korea to the Philippines, with its Korean street food spots, restaurants, entertainment hubs, and grocery stores. With Manila being a sister city of Incheon, Republic of Korea, Councilor Lim and CDA Israel also discussed the importance of close cooperation on future city-to-city projects and wider engagement that will benefit the Filipino community in Incheon and the Korean community in Manila. END

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