KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
DECEMBER 2020
AMBASSADOR‘S
DESK
HAN Dong-man, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
In March 2019, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and the Philippines. In March of this year, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity in the Philippines due to COVID-19 and imposed an enhanced community quarantine throughout Luzon. The Yuletide season is here, but a true end to the pandemic is still out of sight. Christmas 2020 will surely be different from past Christmases, as the Philippines, like many other countries around the world, tries to deal with all the loss and misery that COVID-19 has spawned, as well as the continued threat to lives and livelihood.
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Filipinos celebrate Christmas in true spectacle, beginning from the socalled -ber months. However, in a year where the country also witnessed the eruption of Taal Volcano, earthquakes, and devastating typhoons, rejoicing in what is supposed to be the most joyous of holidays may be easier said than done. It is comforting to know that Filipinos are some of the happiest and toughest people on the planet. Although malls are not as crowded as in the past, outdoor shopping places are teeming with shoppers. Those who opt to stay at home have joined the world of online shopping and have indirectly sustained many local busi-
Philippine Senate adopts resolution commending Ambassador HAN
with hope. Any news about an effective COVID-19 vaccine raises their spirit even if there is as yet no definite date when this will be available. Where others may feel despair, Filipinos dig deep into their faith and rely on divine intervention for a better tomorrow. They believe there is no challenge that cannot be overcome as long as God and their family are with them. The mental health of many people affected by the pandemic has been preserved by the love and stability afforded by family members. Friends who provide support are also a vital part of this coping process. Thanks to social media, people have stayed connected in the middle of lockdowns.
Ambassador HAN turns over $500K in-kind COVID-19 donations to bid farewell to DFA
Korean Government sends PPEs in symbolic sea exchange DOTr secretary lauds Korean ambassador’s contribution to PH infra projects
‘Korean National Day’ & ‘2020 PhilKor Festival’ venture online
nesses. After months of community quarantine, traffic congestion has returned in major thoroughfares and travel restrictions have been eased. Many homes, buildings, roads, and communities are alive with Christmas ornaments. Familiar carols are always playing on the radio and being sung on television. And everywhere you look, you can see people smiling behind their face masks despite the hardship and uncertainty they are experiencing. Surely, there must be some powerful forces at work that are imbuing Filipinos with the Christmas spirit even in this period of crisis. The people are filled
Ambassador HAN gives a lecture on 2020 Philippine Korean War Virtual Conference
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‘K-Healing’ Campaign honors 320 frontliners Korean culture and activities reach Filipinos through ‘Korea at Home’
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It is not just individual friends who matter. The Philippines has a deep friendship with Korea that goes back 70 years, when Filipino and Korean soldiers fought side-by-side during the Korean War. It is a relationship forged in blood that led to the preservation of Korean sovereignty and democracy, and to the transformation of Korea into a progressive nation. So, in this year of many difficulties, the Korean government, along with Korean private com-
panies, has stood by the Filipino government and people, providing financial assistance, food, medicine, and COVID-19 related supplies like face masks, personal protective equipment, and testing kits. This form of cooperation will certainly persist with President Moon Jaein’s commitment to peoplecentered co-prosperity and peace between Korea and the ASEAN of which the Philippines is a founding member. He recently announced the New Southern Policy (NSP) Plus strat-
Korean Government sends PPEs in symbolic sea exchange
egy, an advanced version of the NSP he launched three years ago. The seven priorities under NSP Plus, which includes public health, overlap with the five broad strategies and priorities of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. With plans to double the size of its official development assistance funding devoted to health programs over the next five years, Korea will be a steady presence in the Philippines’ recovery efforts in the coming years.
So, yes, despite all that transpired this year, there is still much to be thankful for in this joyful season, and to look forward to in the foreseeable future. It is in this light that I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a hopeful New Year! Just remember to celebrate responsibly. Maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat at Manigong Bagong Taon! Mahal na mahal ko ang Pilipinas at ang mga Pilipino! Sabay-sabay nating harapin ang bukas nang puno ng pag-asa!
Philippines awarded him their respective noble medals: The Order of Military Merit Taeguk and Medal of Valor. Also, the Korean government named Yap as the “Korean War Hero of the Month” in April. Last year, the Philippine Navy renamed the former Korean vessel Chung Ju, a “Pohangclass patrol combat corvette,” as the PS/BRP Conrado Yap, which now plays an active part as a key battleship of the Philippine Navy.
The commander of the CTTG, RDML Kim Gyungchul, further noted that “at the outbreak of the Korean War, the Philippines was the first country in Asia to deploy troops to help our country, and many bright young men sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. We will forever remember the sacred sacrifices of the people of the Philippines.”
Ambassador HAN gives a lecture on
On November 17, the Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group (CTTG) delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to BRP Conrado Yap in the waters near Manila. The items included 10,000 Korean-made KF-94 masks and 2,000 hand sanitizers. On the boxes decorated with Korean and Filipino flags read the message: “Not once have we forgotten your sacred sacrifices.” The PPE delivery serves the purpose of expressing gratitude to the Philippines as a combatant nation in the 71st anniversary of Korean War, assisting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19)- prevention efforts of the Philippine Navy, while promot-
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ing friendship and enhancing the military exchange of the two countries. The participating vessel added much significance to the event, as it is named after Korean War hero Captain Conrado D. Yap of the Philippine Army. As commander of a special-force company of the 5th Battalion Combat Unit, Yap participated in the battle of Yuldong in April of 1951 in Northern Yeon Chun, Gyeonggi-Do. His unit overcame the handicap of numerical inferiority and forestalled the attack of Chinese forces. From this battle, Yap sacrificed his life to save his wounded soldier. Paying tribute to the military merit of the Filipino captain, the Republic of Korea and the
2020 Philippine Korean War Virtual Conference
Ambassador HAN Dong-Man on December 10 delivered a special lecture to honor the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean war. Organized by the 2020 Philippine Korean War Virtual Conference: Revisiting the Philippines in the Korean War 70th Anniversary not only honors veterans of the Korean War but also focuses on the assistance that the Philippines extended to South Korea in its time of great need. While commemorating the war that preserved South Korea’s freedom and democracy, the event also aims to remind and teach Filipinos, especially the younger generation, of the role that veterans played seventy
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years ago. It also celebrates the long enduring friendship between two nations and two peoples that transcends time, distance, and language.
DOTr secretary lauds Korean ambassador’s contribution to PH infra projects
(Ambassador HAN Dong-man with Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade /DOTr Photo)
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has lauded the contribution of outgoing South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man to the big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Duterte Administration. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief paid tribute to the Korean ambassador during a farewell luncheon meeting on Friday, November 20, 2020. Tugade said Han played a key role in the continuous success of the partnership and cooperation between the countries. According to the DOTr head, Han was instrumental in the loan grant, transfer of technology, joint development studies that supported the DOTr projects under the government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure programs. Tugade cited the MalolosClark Railway Project, Metro Rail Transit Line 7, and the feasibility
study of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) for the National Automated Fare Collection System (NAFCS) Project. In the aviation sector, the DOTr chief named the joint cooperative endeavor for the development of the Dumaguete International Airport. Tugade said Han also help in the ongoing Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project and the New Cebu International Port Project funded by the Korean Exim Bank. Other DoTr officials who joined Tugade in the luncheon tribute include Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez, Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, and Philippine National Railways General Manager Junn Magno. South Korean Embassy Counsellor Yoo Sam Seul was also present during the event.
‘Korean National Day’ & ‘2020 PhilKor Festival’ venture online A wider digital audiencetotalling to 100,000 across all platforms has been tapped by the Korean embassy as it shift-
ed two of its major events--the Korean National Day (October 3) and 2020 PhilKor Festival (October 31) online.
Ambassador HAN turns over $500K COVID-19 in-kind donations
(Ambassador HAN Dong-man with Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during his turnover of Korean in-kind donations to the Philippines)
Outgoing Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man turned over to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. a batch of Korean inkind donations to the Philippines consisting of 17,664 COVID-19 diagnostic kits, one set of PCR and DNA extraction equipment, and 300 sets of PPEs, with an aggregate value of US$500,000.
The donation was in line with the US$ 5-million pledge of assistance by Korea to all ten ASEAN Member States, funded under the ASEAN-ROK Assistance Fund. The end of Ambassador Han‘s Philippine stint also ushers in his retirement, following 35 years in the Korean diplomatic service.
(Ambassador HAN Dong-man made his farewell call on President Rodrigo Duterte and was awarded the Order of Sikatuna in Malacañang)
-Philippine
Senate adopts resolution commending Ambassador HAN Dong-man
The lawmakers approved Senate Resolution (SR) 586, lauding Han for his over 30 years of experience in representing South Korea in international relations. It also commends Ambassador HAN Dong-Man’s efforts for strengthening bilateral relations between Manila and Seoul. The senators said Han helped the Philippines secure $100 million for its Covid-19 response, shared vital information about South Korea’s measures against the pandemic and
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donated face masks for frontliners. Han also facilitated the signing between the Philippines and South Korea of a $1-billion soft loan agreement to finance multiple infrastructure projects until 2022. SR 586 also lauded Han for initiating a number of South Korean investments for projects in the country, including the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the Jalaur Dam in Calinog, lloilo.
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art & culture
Over 320 Filipino frontliners shared their stories of hope and passion through ‘K-Healing’ Campaign
(Marikina Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade Volunteers)
A resounding success, the Korean Cultural Center’s (KCC) Overcome Together campaign brought to the fore the champions of this ongoing global pandemic. Through this meaningful initiative, KCC hopes to offer inspiration and much-need healing through K-Healing Packages given to our brave frontliners. These men and women across the country were nominated by fellow Filipinos. And by the end of November (nomination period was from October 5-31, 2020), KCC had received an overwhelming 156 nominations for over 900 frontliners all over the archipelago
(Teacher Evelyn Setias and Mae Joy Cruspero)
– some even as far as Puerto Princesa and Davao. The nominations were diverse - from nurses to doctors, janitors, drivers, military men, security guards, and firefighters, among others. And each was well-deserving to receive a K-Healing package. Truly, many Filipinos came together to honor our tireless heroes. After a careful review of each nomination, KCC was able to choose winners and deliver KHealing packages to 15 nominees in the Individual Category and 314 individuals for 15 different group winners in the Group Category. Moreover, as part of the Korean
Embassy’s partnership with the Department of Education for the Special Program for Languages, KCC also recognized the teachers at the frontlines of their partner schools like Kalayaan National High School in Pasay and Makati High School. There are many more stories from our brave frontliners that have touched our hearts. Watch their stories of courage and sacrifice as KCC will be capping off the meaningful campaign with a mini online concert streamed on KCC’s official YouTube Channel on December 12, 3pm. The show will feature exciting performances by Korean crossover vocal group
and winner of the JTBC Phantom Singer 2, Forestella, and Lim Kim, the singer sensation who made her debut in 2011 after appearing on Mnet Superstar KR and Amazing Arirang. It has been a difficult year to say the least, but we are welcoming 2021 with renewed hope and optimism, inspired by the heroes who live amongst us and who have selflessly given themselves to protect the nation. By their example and through their own stories of hope and healing, we are inspired to help in our own little ways and to become heroes just like them.
Korean culture and activities reach out to Filipinos through ‘Korea at Home’
A gift need not always be a material item. It can be time, effort, or even just plain entertainment. Apart from being the Christmas season, December has always been about friends, family, and celebration in the Philippines. Since a good number of cinema houses remain inaccessible and outside events remain impossible due to the pandemic, Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
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(KCC) will once again bring the big screens to the Filipino homes. KCC, together with its partners FDCP, Viva International Pictures, Inquirer.net, POP, Smart and Smart K-Life have put together four highly-rated films about family and fantasy for the Filipinos to enjoy for free during the holidays. “Dream: A Family Fantasy Special” is KCC’s finale offer-
ing for 2020. Similar to the previous film events, the Dream screening will stream for free for viewers in the Philippines via the KCC website http://phil. korean-culture.org/ from December 19 to 25, 2020. Still part of the Korea at Home campaign, which aims
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to bring unique and accessible Korean culture and content to the Filipinos even while at the comforts of their own home, “Dream: A Family Fantasy Special” is the final online film screening organized by KCC this 2020.