KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
JANUARY 2015
AMBASSADOR‘S
LEE Hyuk, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
With the entire country still feeling the graciousness of Pope Francis, who visited the Philippines from January 15-19, I would like to greet all of you a blessed and optimistic 2015! There is much to be thankful for last year, particularly in the last quarter. For one, the Philippine economy continued to grow at a phenomenal rate, buoyed in part by foreign direct investments. I am proud to say that some Korean firms contributed to this growth, which will hopefully be sustained in the years to come. For instance, the turnover of the Angat Hydropower Plant was finally formally concluded by the end of October. It signaled a new era of sustainable management and upgrading of the Angat Dam, a project that is perceived to be the answer to some of the energy concerns of the Philippines, especially with the anticipated shortages this year. Korean Water Resources Corporation or K-Water, which is the new manager of the dam, will play a crucial role in the effort of the Philippines to maintain its power infrastructure. A week later, the Batangas Plant of Sunjin Philippines Corporation was inaugurated. Sunjin has been in the Philippines since 1997, when it established its first foreign facility in Bulacan. Since then, it has become a major producer and distributor of animal feeds. Cooperation and coexistence with the Filipinos allowed the company to flourish and for its Filipino clients to enjoy the product of continuing research and development. I am pleased that Korean technology is help-
ing this sector of the Philippine economy by providing jobs and promoting best practices in the production of animal feeds. This, in turn, facilitates the growth of the business that further fuels the country’s economic engine. The economy, of course, was the focus of the Conference on Envisioning the Future of Partnership Between Korea and the Philippines within the ASEAN, which was held on November 5. This event was part of the preparations for the 2014 ASEANRepublic of Korea Commemorative Summit, which was held on December 11-12 in Busan. The summit further elevated Korea-ASEAN relations to new heights, which is relevant to the Philippines, being a founding member of the ASEAN. With close ties binding Korea and the Philippines, it is imperative for our countries to work more closely together in the near future. Potentially, our nations can develop the closest relations, not only because of physical proximity, but because of the many things that we have in common. These include a capable and well-educated people, high regard for family values, and shared aspirations to become more prosperous. Thus, the planned integration of the ASEAN necessitates a heightened state of a deeper cooperation. The conference was the perfect forum for assessing and exploring the direction that our two nations must take vis-à-vis the ASEAN Community. Another thing to be grateful for was the conclusion of the humanitarian mission conducted
by the joint Philippines-Korea Araw contingent in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda. It must be remembered that after Yolanda ravaged Leyte, Samar, and their neighbors on November 8, 2013, the entire international community responded swiftly, with Korea providing monetary assistance as well as logistical support. The Korean government deployed its troops for its first and largest peacetime operation. As I saw them off on December 22 – more than a year after they first arrived, the longest humanitarian mission among all other countries that operated in the Yolanda-affected areas – I reminded them about how important it was that they worked with their Filipino counterparts, that they exhibited team spirit, in rebuilding the devastated communities, because by doing so, they built invariable bonds of friendship, not only with the Philippine military, but most importantly with the people themselves. Finally, in celebration of life and the deep bonds between Korea and the Philippines, two events were held in November. The first was the 23rd Filipino-Korean Cultural Exchange Festival. When this cultural exchange festival was conceived over two decades ago, there were high hopes that our people could become much closer. Those hopes were not unfounded. And when we talk of an “exchange,” it denotes a twoway street. So as Filipinos have embraced the Korean way, many Koreans, in turn, have been going to the Philippines either as
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tourists or as investors. There are even communities both here in Metro Manila and in the provinces where Koreans have chosen to live as residents. For me, there is no better indication of a people’s hospitality than hosting another people and adopting them as part of society. Then on November 22, Hi Korea, Annyeong ASEAN was held to celebrate the KoreaASEAN Commemorative Summit that was to be held in Busan on December 11-12. It was also a commemoration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea that started 65 years ago, in the aftermath of the Korean War where Filipino soldiers played a crucial role. Since then, Korea has been striving to let its traditions and practices be known to the rest of the world, in order to foster amity and understanding with the rest of the world. Cultural events such as these are very important in maintaining friendly relations between and among nations. It is a relationship that has extended from political and economic cooperation to the assimilation of cultural influences. This cannot be more evident than in the pervasiveness of Korean pop culture in the lives of Filipinos. And so, apart from the growing popularity of Korean consumer products and services, I am delighted to note that Hallyu or the Korean wave continues to make a big splash on Philippine soil. With all these blessings, I am hopeful that 2015 will be an even better year as far as PhilippinesKorea relations are concerned. Mabuhay tayong lahat!
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Korea, ASEAN celebrate 25 years of dialogue
The leaders of ASEAN pose for a photo with host, Korean President PARK Geun-hye during the Commemorative Summit last December 2014.
With the theme, “Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” the Republic of Korea hosted the 2014 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit last December 11 and 12 at Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), Korea in celebration of the 25 years of regional dialogue. Discussed during the summit were key points on enhancing cooperation on several fields including political, security, economic, functional and socio-cultural cooperation. It was noted that the trade volume between ASEAN region and the Rpeublic of Korea grew to USD 135-billion in 2013, and USD 4-billion for mutual trade. In the Joint Statement of the ROK-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, the ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Agreement will be maximized to attain the targeted USD 200 billion trade volume by 2020. It was also agreed that there will be increased exchanges between the legislative bodies of the countries involved in a move to reinforce the politicalsecurity cooperation between ROK and ASEAN. The ASEAN-ROK Business Council was also launched during the summit, which will mainly function as a “businessdriven consultative body that will both assist ASEAN and ROK Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in entering each
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other’s markets in promoting bilateral trade and investment,” as was released in the joint statement. Other fields such as aviation, energy and infrastracture projects, agricultural development, science, information and communication technology were also extensively discussed during the two-day sumit. Also highlighted in the statement was the designation of 2017 as the year of ASEANROK Cultural Exchange to deepen mutual understanding and friendship. It is also hoped to develop and enhance the cooperation in the area of culture, art and sports, which will include development of creative industries, fostering talents in multimedia and cultural awareness of the cultural heritage of the region.
Korea, PHL hold talks at the sidelines of the summit
President PARK Geun-hye met with President Benigno Aquino III last December 11 at the sidelines of the 2014 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit at the BEXCO, Busan, Korea, discussing ways to enhance cooperation between Korea and the Philippines in politics, security, trade, investment, development cooperation and protection of the nationals in each other’s country. President PARK initially expressed her sympathies to President Aquino due to Typhoon Hagupit that hit the Philippines prior the latter’s visit to Korea. For his part, President Aquino thanked the Korean government for the aid they have extended, as well as for the contribution of the Araw contingent for the rehabilita-
Angat turned over to K-Water The 47-year-old Bulacan hydropowerplant was finally turned over to Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) in the midnight of October 31, where the turnover of operations took effect, following the signing of joint certificate of turnover. The certificate was signed by Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., president of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM); Gye Woon Choi, president and CEO of K-Water; and Geung Jeon Han,
president of Angat Hydro Power Corporation. The 218-megawatt Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) was auctioned off via the PSALM in April 2010 in a move by the Philippine government to privatize its operations. K-Water, a Korean government-affiliated agency for water resource development, outbidded competitors such as First Gen Northern Energy Corp., San Miguel Corp., SN-Aboitiz Power Pangasinan
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tion of Leyte. The Korean Government will be providing $500-million in credit assistance to the Philippines over the next four years, on top of the $5-million and $20-million grants provided for the rehabilitation of the areas struck by Typhoon Yolanda last year. President PARK also asked her counterpart to improve the business environment in the Philippines to aid the Korean investors with their entry to the Philippines. She stressed that Korea can be a good partner for the Philippines in infrastracture development such as power plants, roads, bridges and airports. President PARK added that close consultations should also be held regarding the safety of Koreans in the Philippines. Inc., Trans-Asia Oil & Energy Development Corp. and DMCI Power Corp. with a $441-million offer. The Philippine government has discounted the bid from $441-million to $439-million following the deterioration of HEPP in the span of four years while K-Water was embroiled in legal hurdles. The Supreme Court (SC) has initially suspended the asset sale in May of 2010, which was eventually dissolved in October 2012 where the sale was declared valid and legal.
Araw Unit wraps up mission in Leyte; leaves HADR equipment Following a year of humanitarian assistance and disaster response mission in Leyte, the 297-strong Korean contingent departed for their home country last December 22. The Korean humanitarian troop, called the Araw Unit, was sent off in a simple ceremony led by Maj. Gen. Eusaquito Manalo, 2AD Commander and Cebu Consul General LEE Kiseog. Araw Unit turned over to the Philippines more than P200-million worth of humanitarian assistance and disaster response equipment. The equipment included excavators, forklifts, dump trucks, tractors, payloaders and bakhoes. In addition, Araw left buses, fumigation vehicle, medical supplies and container
vans intended for administrative purposes. Araw arrived in Haiyanravaged Tacloban on December 28, 2013, led by Col. LEE Chul-won and established their base in Palo, Leyte. The contingent worked on the building infrastracture rehabilitation, debris clearing and water supply distribution. The group also had medical and dental aid, fumigation, feeding programs and relief good distribution. The unit also established a vocational training center and a agricultural leadership institute, conducting Korean language classes in between, donating books and giving out scholarships. While in Busan for the 2014 ROK-ASEAN Commemora-
DOST-PNRI acquires new equipment to boost nuclear safety The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea recently donated the Eco Friendly Radiation Detector EFRD-3300 to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute - Department of Science and Technology (PNRIDOST) through a project of the Korea Trade-Investment Pro-
motion Agency (KOTRA). The detector was formally launched last December 8, 2014 on the occasion of the 42nd Atomic Energy Week. The ceremony was attended by PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa, Cavite First District Representative Cong. Francis Gerald Aguinaldo-
Korean Embassy, AIM hold 2nd Korea-PHL forum In cooperation with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management (SZDM), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea held a forum on the Philippines-Korea relations within the ASEAN context last November 5 at the SGV Hall, Conference Center, Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. Anchored in this year’s theme “Envisioning the Future Partnership between Korea and the Philippines within ASE-
AN,” the event aimed to highlight the importance of ASEAN in bridging avenues for cooperation between its memberstates and Korea. Hence, the
The motto of the Araw contingent is inscribed on this stone marker erected as part of the Memorial Park in Leyte, which the Araw contingent also constructed during their year-long stay.
tive Summit, President Benigno Aquino III expressed his gratitude to the Araw Unit for the work they have done in rebuilding Leyte. “The Araw Contingent built a very close cooperative
relationship with the Filipino government,” President Aquino told President PARK during the summit. The diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines was established in 1949.
Abaya, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical officer Dr. Sunil Sabharwal, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute senior researcher Dr. YOUNG Yong Ji and EB Tech Co. Ltd. CEO Dr. HAN Bumsoo. In a statement, PNRI-DOST said that the FRD-3300 “is designed for a continuous and real-time monitoring of ambient gamma radiation. The system
boasts of the ability to provide stable dose rate measurements, discrimination between artificial and natural radionuclides, and data transmission through an online network conjunction with other monitoring stations.” The EFRD-3300 is a research product of Korea Atomic Energy Research, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and the radiation detection systems manufacturer Satrec Initiative.
event alsod serve as a way to reflect on the achievements and future partnerships between Korea and the Philippines in the context of the ASEAN. The conference, divided into three sessions, also aimed to raise awareness on recently concluded ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit last December 11-12, 2014 in Busan, Korea. The summit celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations and comprehensive cooperation between Korea and the ASEAN, and sought to discuss further ways to bring their current partnership to greater heights. Ambassador Hyuk LEE opened the event and welcomed
all attendees. His remarks were followed by an introduction by Professor Juan Miguel Luz, Dean of the Stephen Zuellig Graduate School of Development Management. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario then delivered the program’s keynote address, where he talked about the rich history of the relationship between Korea and the Philippines. Speakers from government and academic institutions of Korea and the Philippines gave their insights on the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of future partnership between Korea and the Philippines within the ASEAN.
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“Hi Korea, Anyeong ASEAN” commemorates 25th year of ROK-ASEAN dialogue
2014 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival held
The Korean Cultural Center (KCC), together with the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines (UKCA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recently hosted the 2014 Korea-Philippines Cultural Exchange Festival last November 8 at the Aliw Theater. The event featured the performances of Molgae, a Korean traditional dance and percussion team, as well as the Bay-
anihan Dance Company, the national dance team of the Philippines. The event was aimed at enhancing the cooperation and friendship of Korea and the Philippines. The event was also held in celebration of the Korea-ASEAN Commemoration Summit which held in December 11 and 12, 2014 in Busan, South Korea. Apart from the performances of the said groups, there were
art & culture The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the KoreaASEAN dialogue with the Hi Korea, Annyeong ASEAN held last November 22, 2014 at the Bonifacio High Street. The event was part of the upcoming Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit last December in Busan, Korea. The Hi Korea, Annyeong ASEAN in Manila was held with the aim of deepening the awareness of Filipinos on Korean culture, with several renowned performance groups flying in from Korea, namely Dong Rak Traditional Per-
KCC to celebrate Seollal
In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines will be holding a Seollal (설날) Party on February 20, lining up several events for the public in the hopes that the Filipinos will understand the way Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Center has scheduled a Mini Korean Food Festival that will feature traditional Korean foods normally eaten during seollal. KCC will also be holding a
hanbok wearing event, a noraebang (karaoke, Korean-style) competition, culture classes and a concert screening on the said date. Seollal is considered one of the most important Korean holidays that usually stretches up to three days. Seolla is tradition-rich, and Koreans opt to go back to their hometowns to visit and pay respect to their parents and other relatives. It is also on Seollal where the ancestral ritual charye is held.
several raffle events, Korean food tasting, hanbok-wearing (Korean Traditional clothes wearing), and Korean photo exhibition. Also contest of Kpop singing and dancing among both Korean and Filipino participants was held on the said
event. The festival features speech contests of Filipinos and Koreans in each other’s languages, singing competition, group performances. It was hosted by TV personalities Sam OH and Jojo Aquitana.
40th TOPIK application opens The Korean Cultural Center opened the application for the 40th Test of Proficiency on Korean (TOPIK) last January 20 and will run until February 17. The examination is on April 26 and release of the test results are on June 16. TOPIK, a Korean language test both for foreigners and overseas Koreans studying Korean, is generally used as a measure of proficiency in the said language by those whose
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formance Arts Group, Didim Dance Company, Yoon Joo Hee Microcosm Ensemble, Gorilla Crews and the Jo Joo Hyun Dance Company. The Hi Korea, Annyeong ASEAN opened in Bacolod last November 16, moved to Subic on November 19, and culminated in Manila on November 22. A Korean Food Festival was also held alongside the performances. In participation for the event were Korean companies such as Hyundai, Kia, LG and the Korean cosmetics companies among many others. Apart from these performances, the popular Korean movie Dancing Queen was also screened.
native language is not Korean. On the other hand, the EPSTOPIK (Employment Permit System), administered by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), is for the employment of the skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. The forms and guidelines may be downloaded from the KCC website (http://koreanculture.ph/). Applicants are encouraged to apply in person.
KOREA BULLETIN