The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH AMBASSADOR THERESA B. DIZON-DE VEGA DELIVERS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE KOREA MARITIME WEEK 2022 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE

1PRKorea Maritime Week

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Korea Maritime Week on 21 September 2022.

Under the theme, “Challenges and tasks in the international maritime sector in the new normal era”, the Korea Maritime Week 2022 brought together government officials, international experts, and the academe to discuss major issues in the international maritime sector.

In her remarks, Ambassador De Vega emphasized how international cooperation on shared priorities such as green shipping, protection of the marine environment through digitalization and de-carbonization, and economic cooperation form part of the comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address the broad challenges of the maritime sector. She also noted that the impact of marine litter and plastic pollution on water and food supplies, public health, and industries such as fishing, shipping, and tourism is a shared problem that requires shared solutions. The Ambassador also lauded the ROK for taking steps to recognize the value of a green ship and potential strategies to increase energy efficiency and decarbonize global shipping, an area of interest and cooperation for the Philippines.

Ambassador De Vega was joined by ROK Vice Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Song Seung Dal, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, ROK National Assembly Representative Ahn Byung-gil, and the Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon. END

PH EXPLORES MARINE AND FISHERIES COOPERATION WITH THE KOREA MARINE ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Meeting with KOEM 1

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DFA Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Oceans Affairs Maria Angela A. Ponce, and the rest of the Philippine delegation had a productive meeting with Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) Vice President and Executive Director Sang Joon Yoo, along with team members of the KOEM Maritime Conservation Division to discuss collaboration opportunities between the PH and ROK marine and fisheries sector with the organizational support of KOEM.

KOEM spearheads ROK’s global efforts in marine environment management. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed interest in furthering international cooperation between the PH and ROK in sharing best practices on the management system for a sustainable marine environment. She likewise informed KOEM that the Philippines is actively taking part in international efforts for the preservation of the marine environment by enhancing PH's capability to respond to international issues. To date, KOEM is involved with KOICA in the marine-litter collecting vessel and Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay projects of the ROK in the Philippines. These form part of the ROK USD7.7 million Official Development Assistance to the Philippines for the establishment of a marine litter monitoring system and training for officials of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). KOEM also supports ROK’s bilateral partnership with the Philippines in achieving clean and sustainable oceans by combatting marine plastic pollution.

Assistant Secretary Ponce briefed KOEM officials on the Philippine National Plan of Action on Marine Litter. Both sides agreed to see where KOEM and the Philippines can cooperate in various areas under the action plan, including the reduction of plastic consumption and enhancement of waste and material management infrastructure and systems.

KOEM also introduced marine conservation awareness programs it undertakes such as the KOEM bus, an informational caravan on maritime awareness and marine environmental management, which travels around major maritime cities in Korea. The Philippine delegation was able to visit the KOEM bus during Korea Maritime Week on separate occasions. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOLDS 4TH KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES SEMINAR ON INHERITANCE LAW AND ASSISTANCE-TO-NATIONALS CONCERNS

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4 September 2022, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy hosted the fourth installment of its Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (KYRR) Seminar Series on 04 September 2022 via Zoom on the topics of inheritance law and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) concerns.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega noted that the KYRR series was started as a response to the growing need of Filipino communities in South Korea to better understand how relevant laws and regulations affect their daily lives. Past KYRR seminars focused on family law, pension system, and property law - offshoots of an online survey conducted by the Philippine Embassy - as well as the first online legal aid clinic.

Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Jr., discussed the most common ATN concerns faced by Filipinos in South Korea, including the need to correct their passport records, concerns with their immigration status, voice phishing, investment scams and online libel. He gave some practical advice on what Filipinos should do when faced with these concerns

Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista also gave a lecture on inheritance law, addressing inquiries related to property inheritances and asset sharing of dual citizens, married individuals and co-owners or family members. She also emphasized that planning is the key in order to avoid future disputes related to estates and inheritances.

The Philippine Embassy is expected to hold the fifth KYRR Seminar Series in November on the topic of combatting violence against women and children. END

PH AMBASSADOR JOINS OPENING OF JEJU ASEAN HALL AND ASEAN-KOREA FRIENDSHIP TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY

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18 September 2022 - Ambassador Theresa Dizon – De Vega joined Foreign Minister Park Jin, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun, ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary-General Kim Hae-Yong, and other ASEAN envoys to the Republic of Korea at the opening of the Jeju ASEAN Hall at the Jeju International Peace Centre in Jeju Island, ROK.

Under the theme of “Weaving Values Together,” the opening exhibition is divided into four sections offering a glimpse into the society, culture, and history of the ASEAN member states and Jeju Island. Philippine items donated to the Jeju ASEAN Hall exhibit include vases made of Philippine indigenous materials by Filipina artist Luisa Robinson, Philippine hanging textiles, and framed Ambahan letters from the personal collection of Ambassador Dizon-De Vega. Ambahan is a traditional form of poetry by the Hanunó'o Mangyan people of Mindoro, Philippines.

Aside from being a top tourist destination, Jeju Island is also home to a vibrant multicultural community, including a young and dynamic Filipino population. The Philippine Embassy hopes that the newly opened Jeju ASEAN Hall will help further ASEAN-ROK solidarity by fostering cultural awareness and understanding between our peoples.

After the opening ceremony, the ten ASEAN envoys to the ROK, along with FM Park Jin and AKC Secretary General Kim Hae Yong also participated in a tree-planting activity to mark the 55^th anniversary of ASEAN and the celebration of the 33^rd Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Relations. The ASEAN-Korea Friendship Tree symbolizes our strong ASEAN-ROK relations and our nations’ commitment to its continued growth and prosperity. END

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