The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINES AND SOUTH KOREA HOLD SENIOR-LEVEL BILATERAL TALKS ON CONSULAR COOPERATION AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE

PR MTD 136 2023 5th JCCM

12 September 2023 - The Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea reinforced their robust bilateral relationship, engaging in discussions to enhance cooperation on consular, labor, and people-to-people concerns during the 5th Joint Consular Consultation Meeting held in Seoul on 12 September 2023.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo led the Philippine delegation, while the ROK side was headed by the Director General for Consular Affairs and Safety Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jung Kang.

Both sides had an in-depth discussion on key areas of mutual concern, and expressed a desire to produce actionable results on the protection and safety of their nationals overseas, enhancement of visa and travel procedures, consular notification and access, promotion of labor rights and welfare, concerns of students and marriage migrants, and emergency preparedness, among others.

Views were exchanged on important issues faced by the Filipino community in South Korea. Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega highlighted the concerns of the Filipino community in ROK, including matters impacting Filipinos in Korea across different sectors.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Henry S. Bensurto Jr., noted the need to enhance protocols on consular notification and access to support each country’s efforts to protect its nationals abroad.

Department of Migrant Workers’ Assistant Secretary Mario Perpetuo Socorro T. Zinampan reiterated the need to work together on the protection and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers in Korea, including those participating in the seasonal workers program.

Undersecretary Domingo stressed that the agreement to create various working groups to follow through on each sector’s concerns represents a significant step towards tangible results in time for another milestone with the 75th anniversary of PHL-KOR diplomatic relations in 2024.

The first since 2017 and fifth overall, the PHL-KOR Joint Consular Consultation Meeting is a biannual forum to foster collaboration and address policy issues related to the rights and welfare of their nationals, visa and immigration procedures, labor rights protection, and people-to-people exchanges, with the goal of strengthening bilateral relations and facilitating greater cultural and economic interactions between the two countries.

Undersecretary Domingo and ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Hong Seokin with senior official members of their respective delegations likewise met on the occasion of the JCCM.

Joining Undersecretary Domingo as members of the Philippine delegation from Manila were Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto Jr., Director Leilani S. Feliciano, Director Princess U. Tomas-Tayao, Director Querobine D. Laccay, Assistant Director Antonio Emmanuel R. Miranda, and Special Assistant Erika Henri R. Laudencia from the Department of Foreign Affairs; Assistant Secretaries Mario Perpetuo Socorro T. Zinampan and Levinson C. Alcantara, and Director Jainal T. Rasul from the Department of Migrant Workers; and Mr. Wilmer Karlo B. Pasague from the Department of Labor and Employment.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea H.E. Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo-Cornista, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Tourism Attache Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo and Tourism Marketing Officer Cherryl Anne Marie T. Navida of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul also joined as members of the Philippine delegation. END

VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE KEYNOTES GLOBAL EDUCATION AND INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023; MEETS ROK OFFICIALS

Left: Vice President Sara Duterte during her keynote speech at the Global Education and Innovation Summit. The Vice President also met with Prime Minister Han Ducksoo (top right) and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju Ho (bottom right) during her brief visit to the Republic of Korea.

21 September 2023, Seoul – Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte delivered the keynote speech at the Global Education and Innovation Summit 2023 held on 21 September 2023 in the Republic of Korea.

The Global Education and Innovation Summit (GEIS), a first for the Republic of Korea, is a platform for fruitful discussions on the future of education and innovation. With the participation of leaders from various fields, the summit aims to inspire innovative ideas and approaches that will shape the way we teach and learn. The Vice President’s presence at this event highlights the Philippines’ commitment to global education cooperation and its dedication to providing quality education for its citizens. Through the summit, scholars, ministers, policymakers, and experts in the field of education exchange ideas discuss the future of education, and combine new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud capture, and educational technology (edtech) to facilitate learning.

In her keynote speech, the Vice President highlighted the importance of sustained education despite learning disruptions brought about by natural disasters and calamities, pandemics, conflict, lack of infrastructure, and other causes. She underscored the need for critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in the use of technology, and for institutions to be responsive to the effects of technology in educational systems. She likewise emphasized that teachers and students must have a say on the adaptability and sustainability of new technology in education systems, as technology must be studied by the end users before implementation.

During her brief visit to the Republic of Korea, the Vice President also met with Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and Deputy Prime Minister (serving as the Minister of Education) Lee Ju Ho. The Vice President likewise met with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo at the GEIS. Vice President Duterte and Prime Minister Han discussed education cooperation and looked forward to strengthening Philippine-ROK relations through partnerships in language learning, trade and investment, labor, defense, and official development assistance. Deputy Prime Minister Lee sought the Vice President’s support as a partner country in the ROK’s vision for personalized digital learning through artificial intelligence. Both sides also reaffirmed people-to-people ties, especially academic exchanges, as one of the cornerstones of a strong PH-ROK partnership. END

Vice President Sara Duterte (in blue) with education ministers, policymakers, and members of the academe at the Global Education Summit. Bottom left: With Prime Minister Han Ducksoo at the Prime Minister’s Office, Government Complex Building in Seoul. Bottom right: With Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju Ho for a bilateral meeting on education cooperation.

Top and bottom right: The Vice President walks with Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and You Can Be VP learner Mr. K. Perez (9 years old) during the GEIS Summit, held simultaneously with the EdTech Korea Fair 2023. The EdTech Korea Fair is a B2B exhibition specializing in education and education technology where companies and education stakeholders can converge together for tech programs on learning. Bottom left: At the VIP tea time addressing Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jinpyo, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju Ho, OECD Director General Andreas Schleier and ROK National Education Chairperson Lee Baeyong.

PH UNDERSECRETARY FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY MEETS WITH ROK MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND SAFETY TO DISCUSS DISASTER RISK COOPERATION

PH Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Jesus “Gary” Domingo and ROK MOIS officials discuss civil defense cooperation and emergency preparedness at the ROK Ministry of Interior and Safety.

Sejong Administrative City, Republic of Korea - PH Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Jesus “Gary” S. Domingo met with ROK Ministry of Interior and Safety Director General for Civil Defense Park Jeonghyeon and Director General Kim Jeonghag of the Emergency Preparedness Policy Bureau to discuss areas of mutual interest in civil defense and disaster preparedness in a meeting at the Ministry of Interior and Safety last 14 September 2023.

Undersecretary Domingo was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary Reisha Olavario, and Special Assistant Erika Henri Laudencia during the meeting. Civil Defense Division Director Park Hyunyong joined the MOIS delegation and led an informative briefing on the ROK civil defense system.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Domingo looked forward to cooperation in future activities, such as training and education on civil defense between first responders and policymaking officials of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. He likewise emphasized the importance of close cooperation on civil defense matters, as well as emergency preparedness against natural disasters, calamities, and regional security threats. He also informed the ROK that the Philippines is open to exchanging best practices with the Republic of Korea, especially in typhoon, flood, and earthquake-related emergencies. Undersecretary Domingo also emphasized the importance of taking care of the welfare of the multicultural community in Korea, including the more than 62,000 Filipinos living in the ROK, by making foreigner-friendly announcements, applications, and signages for emergency alerts and notices.

The Philippine delegation was also given a tour of the ROK’s state-of-the-art civil defense and emergency preparedness facilities. END

PH UNDERSECRETARY JESUS DOMINGO MEETS WITH ROK DEPUTY MINISTER FOR MULTILATERAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS PARK YONG MIN

Multilateral Affairs experts PH Undersecretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin met in Seoul to discuss a wide range of topics, including the importance of enhancing multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. PH Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also joined the meeting.

SEOUL - Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin discussed ways to enhance multilateral cooperation on democracy, open government partnership, and other areas of mutual interest in a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 September 2023.

Undersecretary Domingo was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary Reisha Olavario, and Special Assistant Erika Henri Laudencia during the meeting.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Domingo affirmed the Philippine commitment to and support for multilateral activities defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights under the Summit for Democracy, as well as global efforts that aim to stop the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials under the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Undersecretary Domingo served as the Philippine head of delegation for both conferences held in Seoul and Jeju Island earlier this year. Undersecretary Domingo also conveyed the Philippine interest and readiness to further its role in these summits and ideas on how to synergize democratic and non-proliferation efforts. Undersecretary Domingo also took the opportunity to brief the Deputy Minister on Philippine initiatives in the recently-held Open Government Partnership regional meeting in Estonia where the Philippines hosted two side events highlighting the nexus between existing technologies and innovative approaches towards fiscal openness, transparency, public participation, and legislative oversight.

Undersecretary Domingo and Deputy Minister Park also had a warm and productive exchange on regional security cooperation, energy, civil defense, social and cultural development, maritime concerns, and people-to-people exchanges including training and development of young diplomats. END