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
KOREA BULLETIN
Trip to Korea awaits winner of 2017 Korean Speech Contest Light paintings, art installations illumine ‘Eternal Light’ exhibition of KCC 1