KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
APRIL 2017
AMBASSADOR‘S
DESK
KIM Jae-shin, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
Warm greetings to all! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with the Philippines assuming chairmanship. The ASEAN meetings, which are to be held from April 26 to 29, will revolve around the theme, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” As such, the Philippines is perfectly poised to play a major role in regional development. Not only is the Philippine economy outpacing its neighbors, with the GDP expected to reach 6.4% this year and 6.5% in 2018, but its chairmanship of the ASEAN is a near guarantee that its growth will be sustained
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by regional cooperation. The ASEAN is one of Korea’s biggest trading partners, so the fact that the Philippines – with whom Korea enjoys excellent relations – is at the helm of the ASEAN this year surely bodes well for a potentially more mutually beneficial relationship. This close relationship may be illustrated by the collaboration between Korea’s Woori Bank and Vicsal Development Corporation – the local company owned by the Cebubased Gaisano family. Last March, they formally introduced their successful partnership for Wealth Bank. Obviously, they realized that the great business opportunity attached
to the remarkable growth of the Philippine economy outweighed any safety-related apprehensions. In the area of defense cooperation, four more FA-50 fighter jets arrived on February 22 and March 29 to complement the first four that have already been delivered by Korea Aerospace Industries. These planes are intended to boost the defense capabilities of the Philippines. For its part, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) opened its “Eternal Light” media art exhibition on February 9, which will run until April 28. It features the works of Han Ho, a Korean contemporary artist and performer
Iloilo, KOICA launch US$5.5-M Concepcion port rehab
3rd, 4th Batch of FA50PH Jets arrived in PH
2017 Korea-Philippines Trade Fair Ambassador Kim meets with DOH Secretary Ubial
Korea, UNDP turnover ecowaste system to Guiuan Samar
who combines light in his traditional paintings to create a new form of art. KCC also organized the “2017 Korean Speech Contest,” together with the United Korean Community Association and the University of the Philippines. The final contest will be held on April 29 at UP Diliman, after the regional semifinals held in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Pampanga, Baguio, and Manila. Summer is here once again, and I wish that everything will, like the weather, be sunny and warm for all, Filipinos and Koreans alike.
Embassy holds memorial service for slain Korean businessman at PNP
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Trip to Korea awaits winner of 2017 Korean Speech Contest Light paintings, art installations illumine ‘Eternal Light’ exhibition of KCC 1
Ambassador Kim meets with DOH Secretary Ubial
Ambassador KIM with Philippine Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Rosell Ubial during the later’s courtesy meeting at Korean Embassy.
Ambassador KIM JaeShin met Philippine Department of Health Secretary (DOH) Rosell Ubial in a courtesy meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea on March 2. In the meeting, the two discussed various issues about health such as the health Overseas
Development Assistance (ODA) projects of Korea to the Philippines, prevention of international epidemics, and Philippine government’s health projects. Ambassador KIM explained that health care is one of the focused areas of Korea’s ODA to the Philip-
Iloilo, KOICA launch US$5.5-M Concepcion port rehab
From left: Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva , Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor and KOICA country director SHIN Myung Seop during the launch of the Northern Iloilo Fishery Rehabilitation and Development Project.
2017 Korea-Philippines Trade Fair
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pines. Korean government had carried out several ODA projects in the country such as building hospitals, tuberculosis elimination, maternal and child health. He ensured that the Korean government will continue its commitment in ODA assistance to health area. Secretary Ubial mentioned she was aware not only KOICA but also Korean private sector such as Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) had done various assistant projects. She wished for continuous support to improve health and medical conditions in rural areas. In addition, Ambassador Kim mentioned that Korea ranks the top in terms of the number of foreign tourist ar-
rivals to the Philippines last year, with over 1.47million Koreans visited the country. However, zika virus infected 18 Korean tourists, 8 people or 40% of total were infected after trip to the Philippines. He informed that he had been paying a special attention to the Philippines’ response to the epidemic and hoped for a closer cooperation on this matter with DOH. Secretary Ubial said there are 59 reported Zika virus cases but most of them had broken out in Iloilo and there had been no single case of microcephaly. She said Philippine government had been working on pest control over mosquito habitats since mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are same as the carriers of Dengue virus.
The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Iloilo government launched the US$5.5-million Northern Iloilo Fishery Rehabilitation and Development Project during the ceremonial exchange of Record of Discussions (ROD) on February 1. Present at the exchange of ROD were KOICA Country Director SHIN Myung Seop, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Concepcion Mayor Millard Villanueva. A ROD is equivalent to a memorandum of agreement between parties that will implement a joint undertaking. The project will cover the repair and improvement of ex-
isting port facilities as well as the conversion of the wet market into a passenger terminal. Dining stalls will also be renovated and a selling area for local products will be built. KOICA will also fund the construction of a new fish port complex with an ice storage facility, two new access roads, waste management facilities and the capacity-building of project implementers and beneficiaries. The rehabilitation and development project aims raise the productivity and income of fishermen in Concepcion affected by the 2013 typhoon Yolanda.
Korean and Philippine products were once again showcased at Korea-Philippines Trade Fair (KPTF) last April 6 to 8 at SMX Convention Center Manila. KPTF is an economic and cultural exchange that exhibits both Korean and Philippine products and technologies. It aims to be a gateway of trade opportunities between the two countries. The fair will offer business matching opportuni-
ties for Korean companies to meet potential local distributors in the Philippines. A business seminar, presentations from participating companies will be available for the fair visitors. The event will also offer consultation services regarding exportation of products and public purchase consultations. KPTF also hosted a K-Pop contest hosted by SM Entertainment in Korea.
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Embassy holds memorial service for slain Korean businessman at PNP
Memorial Service of the slain Korean businessman JEE Ick Joo at Philippine Nationa Police, Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame from February 6 to 13.
An eight-day memorial service for slain Korean businessman JEE Ick Joo was held at the Philippine National Police Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City from February 6 to 13. Officials from the Philippine Government including Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa, former Philippine president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, and Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-shin, as well as members of the Korean community attended to pay their respects. JEE was reported to be abducted from his house in Angeles City, Pampanga, last October 2016 during an anti-drug operation conducted by police-
men. He was brought to Camp Crame where he was believed to be murdered. In a statement, the embassy calls upon “the Philippine Government to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation and to bring those responsible to full justice. In addition, the Embassy urges the Philippine Government to adopt necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.” Philippine President Duterte has apologized to the Korean government over what happened to the Korean businessmen. He also assured that those responsible will go to prison.
3rd, 4th Batch of FA-50PH Jets arrived in PH
One of the 3rd batch of FA-50PH jets delivered at Air Force City, Clark Air Base in Pampanga last February. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Air Force)
Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), Ltd. has delivered the 4th batch of FA-50PH jets, purchased by the Philippine government last 2014, on March 29 at Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base in Pampanga. The third batch of FA-50PH jets was ferried in the country by the pilots of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) last February 28 at Clark Air Base. “The FA-50PH jets are not just for war…they can be utilized to preserve the country’s peace and freedom,” said Commander of Air Logistics Command of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Major General Arnold Mancita during the turnover ceremony of the 3rd batch of FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle”
last March 2 at Clark Air Base, Pampanga. The PAF also held an arrival ceremony for the fourth batch of FA-50PH jets last March 29 at the same venue with the Vice Commander of the PAF, Major General Conrado V Parra Jr. AFP. The PAF acquired 12 FA50PH under the AFP Modernization Program from Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), Ltd. The purchase of the fighter jets aim to boost Philippines’ territorial defense capabilities. With the arrival of the fourth batch of FA-50PH jets on March 29, the PAF now has eight jets in its inventory while the delivery of the four remaining the jets will be completed within 2017. (PAF)
Korea, UNDP turnover ecowaste system to Guiuan Samar
One of the FA-50PH jets delivered by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), Ltd at Air Force City, Clark Air Base in Pampanga last March 29. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Air Force) KOICA country director SHIN Myung Seop travelled to Guiuan to lead the turnover of the Guiuan Ecowaste Management Center to the local government represented by Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales. (Photo courtesy from www.ph.undp.org)
Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) turned over 67 permanent
shelters, a community evacuation center (CEC) in Basey and the Eco-Waste Management (EWM) Center in Guiuan. KOICA has provided fi-
nancial assistance to UNDP for the improvement of the waste management system. KOICA’s assistance helped improve waste management systems, access to vocational training and livelihood oppor-
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tunities, and enhanced community disaster preparedness through construction of disaster-resilient infrastructure such as housing units and community evacuation centers.
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Trip to Korea awaits winner of 2017 Korean Speech Contest
Filipinos fluent in speaking Korean language will get a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to Korea and a cash prize by joining this year’s ‘2017 Korean Speech Contest.’ Organized by The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), United Korean Community Association (UKCA) and University of the Philippines, applicants are required to compose an original speech that would relate to the main topic of “My Treasure.” This year KCC will hold the 2017 Korean Speech Contest regional competitions on April 8 in the cities of Cebu, Davao,
Iloilo, Baguio, Pampanga and Manila. Winners of the regional leg will compete in the grand finals which will be held on April 29 at University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. Regional grand prize winners will win 5,000 pesos and a roundtrip to Manila to compete in the grand finals. The grand winner for the grand finals competition will win a roundtrip to Korea courtesy of Korean Tourism Organization and a cash prize of 15,000 pesos. For more information contact the Korean Cultural Center at 02 555-1711 or email events@koreanculture.ph.
art & culture Light paintings, art installations illumine ‘Eternal Light’ exhibition of KCC
Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines opened its Korean media art exhibition ‘Eternal Light’ on February 9 at KCC Exhibit Hall, Taguig City. The exhibition features 15 artworks and installation arts of Korean contemporary artist and performer, Han Ho. Many have called him the successor to world-renown video artist Nam June Paik, who is considered to be the founder of video art. In ‘Eternal Light’, Han Ho explores on the diversity of human emotions, inner conflict, and hope. According to him, he creates tiny holes in his paintings to let the light pass through. The result of this repetitive process creates a new form of art in his painting. “I put all the areas of the visual arts, such as painting, media,
installation and videos into one space to make an amalgamation of them,” said Han Ho. KCC Director OH ChoongSuk, in his speech, said that he is very excited to introduce this new medium of Korean art to the Filipinos. “This is the first time for KCC to hold an art exhibition that uses light as a tool. I have great anticipation that this event will succeed in informing the public of Korea’s media and visual art,” said Director OH. During the exhibit opening, Han Ho did a performance art wherein he produced a series of light reflections from different people. He calls his performance art as “Light Human.” The ‘Eternal Light’ exhibition will run until April 28, 2017 at the KCC Exhibition Hall. Admission is free.
Novotel, KCC host ‘Go Gangnam KFood Festival’ at Food Exchange Manila
Shangri-La Plaza, KCC present ‘Ywan Ballet and Piano Duo Dance Performance’
Highly-acclaimed Korean ballet company Ywan Ballet Theater performed at Shangri-la Plaza Grand Atrium on March 24. Organized by Shangri-la Plaza and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), Ywan Ballet Theater performed various ballet pieces together with Korean pianists KIM Young Sook and KIM Hey Jin.
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Founded in 1987, Ywan Ballet Theater Company has been helping in spreading the Korean culture through several contemporary ballet performances worldwide, led by its Ballet Director Hwang Kyu-Ja. Their performances encompass unique stories based on Korean history, reinterpreting traditional, classical ballet pieces into a more modern style.
Novotel Araneta Center and Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines, held a six-day Korean food festival at Food Exchange Manila last February 20 to 27. Titled, ‘Go Gangnam: A K-Food Festival’ the food festival offered a lunch and dinner buffet feast highlighting Korean dishes at Food Exchange Manila.
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Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam Chef Kim Jong-Man came all the way from Korea to share his extensive knowledge in Korean cuisine. In his speech KCC Director OH Choong-Suk hopes to “foster an even healthier cultural exchange between Korea and the Philippines and bring our peoples together through the power of food.”