KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
JANUARY 2018
AMBASSADOR‘S
DESK
HAN Dong-man, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
Mabuhay! I would like to greet you all, the readers of this periodical, a hopeful, peaceful, and prosperous 2018! When I arrived in Manila last January 13, I was delighted to see many familiar brands– Samsung and LG; Hyundai, Kia, and Posco– as well as Korean restaurants and cosmetics stores. It affirmed my belief that Korea has a strong presence and influence in the Philippines. These businesses are obviously thriving not simply for the benefit of the Korean community and the 1.5 million Korean tourists who visit the country annually, but more importantly because Filipinos have come to embrace and cherish them. At Bonifacio Global City, I also noticed the ASEANROK mural, inaugurated last December in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN and the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year. I heard that this impressive graffiti art was painstakingly cre-
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ated by artists from Korea and its neighbors, to demonstrate the stronger ties between Korea and the ASEAN, which was chaired by the Philippines last year. This is the same kind of relationship that I wish to further develop between Korea and the Philippines as I begin my tour of duty in this wonderful tropical paradise. Like most Koreans, I recognize the role that the Philippines played in our nation’s history. Almost 68 years ago, more than 7,000 Filipino soldiers fought side-by-side with South Koreans and a United Nations contingent to preserve our freedom and sovereignty. I, therefore, deemed it fitting – as my first official act as Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines – to pay tribute to the bravery of these Korean War veterans by offering flowers at the Korean War Memorial Pylon last January 15, and meeting some of the veterans themselves. This also happens to be
Korean Skaters visit PH for PyeongChang Olympics
dent Moon, for his part, said he hoped to further enhance Korea-ASEAN relations, and one of these is by taking part in the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program that is intended to usher in a “Golden age of infrastructure.” As I embark on this journey, after presenting my Letter of Credence to President Duterte last January 17th, to further cultivate the friendship and partnership between our peoples and nations, I am reminded of that Tagalog word, “Mabuhay,” that welcomed me the moment I landed in Manila. I later learned that it literally means “to live,” but when used as an all-around greeting in this country, especially to foreigners, it means “Long Live!” Mabuhay tayong lahat! This I wish for all of us – a relationship that will endure the test of time amid all forms adversity and geo-political shifts.
Ambassador Kim JaeShin Farewell Call to Malacanang
KEXIM offers concessional loans to fund Philippine infrastructure projects Korean bank eyes PH market
New Ambassador HAN Dong-man assumes position
Year of the Dog, which is a very auspicious year, according to most astrologers. I am particularly optimistic because Korea is hosting the 23rd Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in PyeongChang starting on February 9. I hope many Filipinos could go to Korea for the Winter Games and at the same time enjoy a Korean winter holiday. With the successful hosting by the Philippines of the ASEAN last year, I have even more reason to be confident that the relationship between our countries will be elevated to greater heights this year. Our President, His Excellency Moon Jae-in, set the tone when he met Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last November on the sideline of the ASEAN Summit. President Duterte urged Korean businessmen to boost their investments in the Philippines, particularly in manufacturing, automotive, food production, processing, agribusiness, electronics and energy. Presi-
Manila, Seoul Sign New Air Deal ASEAN-ROK Mural in BGC Opens to Public
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Korean Cultural Exchange Alumni, K-Culture Friends gather for a Grand Reunion Ceremony 1
New Ambassador HAN Dong-man presents credentials to President Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte (right) receives the credentials of Republic of Korea Ambassador HAN Dong-man at the Malacañang Palace on January 17, 2018. (KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
KEXIM offers concessional loans to fund Philippine infrastructure projects
Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the official export credit agency of Republic of Korea, expressed its intent to allocate $1 billion in concessional loans over 6 years to fund some key infrastructure projects in the Philippines. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that representatives of KEXIM met with the
Philippine government to discuss their proposed concessional loans for some Philippine public infrastructure deals. Among the agencies consulted were NEDA, Department of Finance, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, De-
Newly-appointed Ambassador HAN Dong-man presented his credentials to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last January 17 at the Malacañang Palace. Ambassador HAN, who previously served as Deputy Minister for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), is the new envoy of Korea to the Philippines. Ambassador HAN has more than 30 years of experience in representing Korea in the areas of policy planning, trade issues, and public relations. He has held executive positions in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United partment of Information and Communications Technology, National Irrigation Administration, and National Electrification Administration. NEDA said transportation, information and communications technology, and energy infrastructure were identified as priority areas in the proposed cooperation, considering Korea’s comparative advantage in these sectors. Aside from concessional loans, KEXIM also offered knowledge-driven economic cooperation program that will
Korean bank eyes PH market
Korean bank KB Kookmin Bank is looking to enter the Philippine market, joining a list of other foreign lenders wanting to cash in on the robust economic growth story and a booming consumer base. A Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said KB Kookmin Bank is in talks with the regulator to establish a branch in Manila following its attempt to partner with a local lender last year. If approved, it would be the fourth Korean bank to
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enter the Philippines over the last two years, following the signing of a law allowing the full entry of foreign banks. 11 global lenders have entered the Philippines since the signing of Republic Act 10641 in 2014, which lifted the previous limit that allowed only 10 offshore lenders to operate in the country at a given time. Prior to the new law, a new foreign bank can enter the Philippines only if one of the accredited foreign lenders pulls out. (BUSINESS WORLD)
enable Korea to share its successes and failures and propose applicable policy recommendations. KEXIM also expressed willingness to assist in the Philippines’ pre-investment activities, including project preparation, feasibility studies, and plans formulation, through the bank’s Project Preparation Facility. The Philippines and South Korea are set to finalize the framework agreement. (RAPPLER)
South Cotabato exports papaya in Korea
Tupi town in South Cotabato recently inked a deal with a local distributor in Korea to regularly distribute fresh papaya fruits. Starting November 2017, 8 metric tons (MT) of papaya will be shipped to a local distributor in Korea to regularly distribute fresh papaya fruits. Based on the agreement between South Cotabato farmers and the local distributor in Korea at least two-three metric tons of solo papaya is set to be shipped on a weekly basis after the initial shipment. Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12 Executive Director Milagros Casis said farmers from Tupo initially
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States, and Algeria, as well as in the Office of the President in Korea. Ambassador HAN received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications at Yonsei University in Korea and his Master’s in International Administration at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Ambassador HAN was joined by his spouse JANG Sookyung, Minister and Consul General KWON Won-Jik, Minister Counsellors PARK Younghyo and KYUN Jongho, First Secretary SONG Areum, and Second Secretary LIM Jeongsub.
shipped 1 MT of solo papayas in the last week of October to Korea. This was followed by a second shipment of 1.3 MT. Through the technical support of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA Region 12, the construction of a treatment facility in region will further boost export opportunities for papaya, and other high value crops. Aside from Tupi farmers, other farmers in Region 12 also started exporting their farm harvests. “This is a triumph for us since we are encouraging more farmers in Region 12 to think of the bigger market.” Casis said.
Korean Skaters visit PH for PyeongChang Olympics
Korean figure skater KIM Haejin and three other Korean figure skating national team members dazzled the crowd at the Mall of Asia Skating Rink last November 14, 2017 during the gala exhibition of the Dream Program for 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. KIM joined choreographer SHIN Yeaji, KIM Sena and CHOI Whi in performing their individual routines to promote the 2018 PyeongChang Olym-
pic and Paralympic Winter Games scheduled on February 9 to 25 and March 9 to 18, respectively in Pyeongchang, Korea. The team then conducted a one-hour workshop with 28 young Filipino skaters and some members of the Philippine Skating Union. Korean singer and actor Thunder, who hosted the event, also encouraged the Filipinos to visit Korea and watch the Games.
Ambassador KIM Farewell Call to Malacanang
(Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) with outgoing Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin. Ambassador KIM received the Order of Sikatuna during his farewell call at Malacanang Palace last January 8) (Photo from Malacanang)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Grand Cross (Datu) Gold Distinction on outgoing Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin during a farewell call in Malacañang Palace on January 8. Ambassador KIM was awarded the Order of Sikatuna for his significant role in strengthening and deepening relations between the Philippines and Korea. He was also cited for facilitating Korea’s timely assistance for the victims of the conflict in Marawi
City and for assisting cooperation agreements and projects supporting the Philippines. The Order of Sikatuna is an order of diplomatic merit conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines. President Duterte said Korea and the Philippines have been friends for a long time and expressed his gratitude for its continuing assistance to the Philippines.(PCOO)
Korean Embassy Spouses Conduct Gift Giving to Tondo Feeding Facility
(The Spouse Association of the Korean Embassy together with the volunteers and kids from The Love Center – an educational and feeding facility in Tondo, Manila)
The Spouse Association of the Korean Embassy with its President Madame LEE JongMin, wife of Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin, visited The Love Center in Tondo, Manila on December 13 to donate Korean snacks and noodles for Christmas gift-giving. The Love Center, an educational and feeding facility in Tondo, Manila, were donated by the group in an effort to reach out to the community of Tondo.
Sookhyang “Sharon” KIM started her missionary project in the area since the year 2000. She built the Love Center and the Dream Center to provide a CDP (Child Development Program) and feeding program by incorporating Christian values as foundation to the less privileged children. KIM expressed her gratitude to the Spouse Association of the Embassy and hoped for the unrelenting support and attention to these children.
Philippines and Korea have agreed to increase the number of flights operating between the two countries following its strong demand. The agreement targets to increase air traffic entitlements between Manila and all international airports in Korea to 20,000 seats a week for each country from the current 13,500 seats. This meant that all airlines of the Philippines authorized to operate between Manila and all international airports in Korea could use a combined total of 20,000 seats a week. The same
number of seats a week will also be available for all the Korean carriers authorized to operate between Manila and all international airports in Korea. Moreover, the agreement allowed unlimited traffic rights for the authorized airlines of both countries between all international airports in the Philippines outside Manila and all international airports in Korea. The expanded air traffic rights in Manila are intended to address the increased demand for air services between the two countries. (INQUIRER)
Koreans still remain top foreign visitors in the Philippines based on the latest data that the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) released last December 2017. According to Bureau of Immigration a total of 1.47 million Koreans entered the country from January to November 2017, higher than the previous year’s 1.45 million.
Tourists from the US came in second with 869,732 visitors while Chinese visitors placed third with a total of 796,487. Following the top three foreign visitors in the country were Japan (510,736), Australia (218,719), Taiwan (196,485), Canada (179,522), the UK (177,321), Malaysia (127,232), Singapore (112,603), and Germany (76,639). (PHILSTAR)
Manila, Seoul Sign New Air Deal
Koreans Top PH Foreign Visitors
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art & culture
ASEAN-ROK Mural in BGC Opens to Public
(The ASEAN-ROK Collaborative Mural Project titled ‘Beyond Borders, Peaceful Voyage’ is situated at the corner of 26th Street and 5th Ave. in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines.)
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the ASEAN and the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year, Korean Cultural Center (KCC) together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Bonifacio Art Foundation,
Inc. (BAFI) recently opened for public viewing its mural project “BEYOND BORDERS, Peaceful Voyage.” The organizations commissioned artists from the ASEAN-Korea countries to paint a mural in Bonifacio Global
City, Taguig City – one of the Philippines art-infused cities. It aims to celebrate friendship of ASEAN and Korea through the collaborative work and interactions of visual artists from the ASEAN-Korea countries. The Graffiti Art Project was led by its Project Director PARK YoungGyun from Korea. PARK decided to use a Korean traditional painting called Chaekgado to link ASEAN and Korea in one mural. Chaekgado, a style of painting that emerged during the Joseon Dynasty, depicts shelves stacked with books, ceramics and other objects cherished by the scholars. A chaekgado is believed to embody King Jeongjo’s (the 22nd King of the Joseon Dynasty) ideology – to govern the nation with books and knowledge. In the mural, each ASEAN member country had a place in chaekgado. Each object painted
by the ASEAN artists captures the characteristics of the country that they represent. To link Korea’s dedication for stronger cultural partnership with the ASEAN, PARK included objects that symbolize Korea. According to KCC Director LEE Jincheol the project aims to represent a community effort by the ASEAN-Korea countries and to utilize cultural symbols as a way of creating an impact internally and externally to the public. “Through this mural, artists from the different ASEAN-Korea countries could share their cultural traditions and art to wider audience. It is also a good opportunity to showcase ASEAN and Korea’s stronger good ties,” said LEE. The 35 x 27.5 meter mural is located at the corner of 26th Street and 5th Ave. in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
Korean Cultural Exchange Alumni, K-Culture Friends gather for a Grand Reunion Ceremony
(Members of the CPI and K-Culture Friends together during the 2017 Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI) Alumni Grand Reunion and K-Culture Friends Reunion Ceremony last December 20)
Korean Cultural Center (KCC) held the 2017 Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI) Alumni Grand Reunion and K-Culture Friends Reunion Ceremony last December 20 at Shangri-La at The Fort, Taguig City. Cultural Partnership Initiative is a bilateral exchange Program being conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea since 2006.
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The program aims to build connections and blooming cultural diversities among 56 Asian, Eastern Europe, South America and African countries through cultural experiences, tours and classes. The participants from different sectors spend 5 months in Korea for the said program. CPI alumnus Edward Vincent Guevarra, a librarian from the Ateneo De Manila Univer-
sity, then shared his fruitful experiences in the 2017 CPI program through a presentation during the event. The second part of the event, the K-Culture Friends Year-End Party, celebrates another fruitful year of promoting the Korean culture in the Philippines. Senior member of KCulture friends, Aldrin Lee, Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
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in UP Diliman, presented the events and projects of KCC, UP and other Korean culturalrelated events in the Philippines for the year 2017. Romel Beriguel, a longtime member of The Krew, the volunteer arm of KCC, also shared his experiences as a junior member of the K-Culture Friends and the fruitful outcome of his volunteer work.