KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
JULY 2016
AMBASSADOR‘S
DESK
KIM Jae-shin, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
When Rodrigo Roa Duterte took his oath of office on June 30 as the 16th President of the Philippines, everyone had high hopes that a change for the better was, indeed, coming. I had the privilege to meet President Duterte last June 2 in Davao City, where we spoke of mutual cooperation in a number of fields toward expanding bilateral relations between Korea and the Philippines. I expressed optimism that, under his leadership, the Philippines will continue to develop further. For my part, I extended the Korean government’s vow to help him achieve his famous anti-crime policy by donating police equipment, such as patrol cars and motorbikes. It would be a donation worth US$6.6 million. Since the Philippines is a prime destination for Korean investors and tourists, I assured President Duterte that Korea will fully support and cooperate with his administration’s plan to stamp out crime and drugs. A better law and order situation will guarantee a safer environment for Korean nationals in the Philippines, including around 4,000 tourists that arrive every day. In addition, we discussed economic development, since Korean companies have interests in infrastructure, transportation, and agriculture. These same issues were the topics of conversation during my courtesy visit to Vice President Maria Leonor Santo Tomas
Gerona Robredo on July 5. The Vice President said she placed great value on the cooperative relationship between the two countries and wished to learn many things from Korea. She added that the Philippines has enjoyed high growth rates over the last six years with an average of 6% annually, and that efforts will be made to ensure that this trend continues. Vice President Robredo also acknowledged the Korean government’s efforts in operating ODA grant programs in the Philippines through KOICA, and commented that she looks forward to future cooperation in food security, medical treatment, education, and rural development. In line with this, I reminded the Vice President that bilateral relations between Korea and the Philippines are rooted in the deep friendship that formed more than 65 years ago, when Filipino soldiers bravely and selflessly joined the Korean War to preserve our freedom and sovereignty. Through the years, this friendship has become even stronger and has entered other areas of cooperation, such as the humanitarian assistance extended to the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda that devastated many parts of the Visayas in 2013. Last June 17, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Reconstruction of the Visayas State University in Tolosa. This project is one of the
important components of the endeavor to help in the recovery of the affected areas. When the project is finally completed, students and professors of VSU will have a better environment for education in a new Administration and Lecture Building with adequate facilities. On a smaller scale, the Korean Embassy, together with the United Korean Communities Association and Korean companies in Cavite, brought some clothes and other necessary goods for the victims of a fire that destroyed homes in Taguig City last May. Even now, I hope that the damages they suffered will be recovered at the earliest time, and that our modest contribution will be helpful in rebuilding their lives. The closeness between Koreans and Filipinos is further exhibited in people-to-people and cultural exchange. From January to April, around 480,000 Korean tourists visited the Philippines, which accounted for about 25% of all arrivals and making Koreans continue to be number one among foreign visitors to this country. Then, following the 22nd Asian Taekwondo Championships held in Manila last April, the Soul of Korea: Taekwondo exhibit was inaugurated at the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) on June 9. It is the first of its kind to be held in the Philippines. It is also heartwarming to know that more and more Filipinos are showing interest, not only in Taekwondo, K-Pop, Ko-
KOREA BULLETIN
rean food, Koreanovelas, and beauty products, but also in other aspects of Korean culture and studies. Last April 27, the Philippines-Korean Research Centre (PKRC@UP) was opened at the University of the Philippines through the combined efforts of UP, the Academy of Korean Studies, and the Korean Studies Association of Southeast Asia. I believe that the centre will certainly benefit Filipino scholars eager to learn about Korea. The Ateneo Initiative for Korean Studies (AIKS), which was established in April 2012, has likewise been active in promoting Korean culture and studies in this country. Apart from the regular lectures about Korean history and language, AIKS and KCC cohosted the Korean Speech Contest last April 30 at the Ateneo de Manila University. The opening of the Prof. Djun Kil Kim Korean Studies Collection Shelves last June 24 at the University of Asia and the Pacific is another fine illustration of the growing interest in Korean studies. UA&P developed the Korean Studies program and continuously expanded it by inviting experts from the best universities around the world. With these encouraging developments in many aspects of Philippine-Korea relations, I am confident that the ties that bind our nations and our peoples will endure and become even stronger in the years to come.
1
Ambassador KIM Donates to Taguig fire victims
Philippines-Korea Research Center launched at UP University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman launched on April 27 the Philippines-Korea Research Center (PKRC@UP) at the Quezon Hall of the university. UP President Alfredo E. Pascual and Ambassador KIM JaeShin led the opening ceremony. The Center will be headed by former dean of the UP Asian Cen-
ter Prof. Eduardo Gonzalez. It will serve as a university-wide hub that will help promote and develop Korean Studies in the University and throughout the country. It will sponsor interdisciplinary and inter-college research and education on Korean studies, as well as facilitate the training of the next generation of Koreanists in the country.
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin (right) with Taguig vice Mayor Ricardo Cruz
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin, on May 2, paid a visit to the temporary evacuation center accommodating the victims of a fire that broke out in Barangay Tuktukan, Taguig City. Ambassador KIM personally delivered emergency relief supplies gathered by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Korean Association, Korean International School, and other Korean companies and agencies in the Philippines to Taguig City Vice Mayor
Ricardo Cruz. The fire, which broke out last April 28, caused one death and 3 injuries, while leaving nearly 1,200 people of 265 families homeless. Ambassador KIM also extended sincere consolation to the fire victims and expressed his hope that the relief goods would help them start anew, while emphasizing bilateral relationship between Korea and the Philippines.
Korea, PH sign loan agreement for Panguil Bay Bridge
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin and UP President Alfredo Pascual during the ribbon cutting ceremony of PKRC@UP opening last April 27. Photo from up.edu.ph
Korean Government reveals new logo
Korea has changed its official “government identity.” The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Ministry of the Interior, unveiled the new mark on March 15. The new sign will resemble the
nation’s taegeuk circle of three colors. The ministries will also all use this new logo instead of their previous logos. The new logo conveys the dynamism and enthusiasm of Korea with the three colors of blue, red and white, echoing off the national Taegeukgi flag with the taegeuk circular swirl and the blank canvas embodied in white. The typeface was inspired by the font used in the “Hunminjeongeum” (1446), the original Hangeul text, in consideration of the harmony embodied in the taegeuk circle. The new logo will be used at all 22 ministries and 51 central government agencies.(Korea.net)
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has given Woori Bank the green light to take over a Philippine-based bank, in line with its efforts to expand overseas markets. Woori Bank, Korea’s second-biggest bank by assets, has received the final approval of the BSP to acquire a 51 percent stake in Wealth Development Bank that has 16 branches and an asset base
of US $170 million. It aims to tap deeper into the Philippine financial market in cooperation with Vicsal Development Corp, another major shareholder of the Wealth Development Bank. Following the deal, Woori Bank now has 225 networks overseas and the bank seeks to expand its number of networks to 400 by the end of 2016.
Korea changed its official government insignia from a hibiscus to a taegeuk.
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin (right) with former DFA Secretary Jose Almendras. Photo from dfa.gov.ph
A 4.859 billion-peso loan agreement between the Philippines and Korea for the Panguil Bay Bridge Project was signed on April 28. Former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Almendras and Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin signed the agreement at the Bureau of the Treasury, Manila City. The Project aims to accelerate and sustain economic growth in Northern and Western Mindanao, and provide a more reliable and efficient transport infrastructure to aid in the flow of goods and services, growth of commerce and in-
2
dustry, and reduced transportation costs. The Project involves the construction of a bridge across Panguil Bay connecting the City of Tangub in Misamis Occidental and Municipality of Tubod in Lanao del Norte. Korea is the Philippines’ sixth largest source of active Official Development Assistance, providing the Philippines with US$515.55 million in loans and grants as of December 2015. Export-Import Bank of Korea is the implementing agency of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korea.
KOREA BULLETIN
Woori Bank enters PH
Ambassador KIM visits Presidentelect Duterte in Davao City
(Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin with incoming President Rodrigo Duterte)
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin on Thursday paid a courtesy call to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City. The Ambassador conveyed the congratulatory message of Republic of Korea President PARK Geun-Hye to Duterte. Ambassador KIM said that the Korean government hopes to further improve the bilateral ties between the two countries and to continue the cooperation in various fields under Duterte’s administration. He also welcomed President-elect Duterte’s anti-crime policy and underscored the Korean government’s wishes to reinforce the cooperation with the Philippines in securing peace and order through joint projects such as capacity-building in police investigation. President-elect Duterte also extended his wish to continue the joint efforts between Korea and the Philippines, expressing his cordiality towards Korea, citing his acquaintance with the Korean
community in the Philippines and his fondness for Korean food and weather. In addition, Ambassador KIM and President-elect Duterte discussed economic cooperation in investment and employment as well as collaboration in Philippine infrastructure projects. President-elect Duterte cited an expressway constructed by a Korean corporation decades ago that remains in a good condition and praised it as one of the best projects in the Philippines. Lastly, Ambassador KIM hopes to strengthen close cooperation with the Duterte Administration regarding North Korean affairs. Political tension still persists on the Korean Peninsula due to North Korea’s ceaseless development of nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction. In response, President-elect Duterte expressed, “Let me assure you that we are with you,” emphasizing that the Philippines would remain in support of the Korean government against North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin delivered the congratulatory message of Republic of Korea President PARK Geun-Hye to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. In her message, President PARK believes that under Duterte’s Administration, the Philippines will continue its robust nation-building and rapid economic growth. President PARK also looks forward to work closely with Duterte in strengthening the bilateral relationship of the two countries. Also in a separate message, Republic of Korea Prime Min-
ister HWANG Kyo-Ahn expressed his sincere greetings to incoming Vice President Leni Robredo. Prime Minister HWANG also asked Robredo for her interest and support regarding the bilateral ties of Korea and the Philippines, taking into account the increasing level of people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Both of the congratulatory messages were delivered by Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President-elect Leni Robredo.
Korean Leaders congratulate President Duterte and VP Robredo
Korean Government grants $4M to Visayas State University Reconstruction Project The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Visayas State University (VSU), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) held the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the project, ‘Reconstruction and Strengthening of the VSU Tolosa Campus’ on 17 June 2016, in Tolosa, Leyte. Republic of Korea Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin led the time capsule-laying ceremony at the new building construction site together with VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin Ph.D., CHED Deputy Executive Director Napoleon B. Imperial Ph.D., Tolosa Mayor Erwin C. Ocaña, and Leyte Province Board Member Bob Abellanosa. The reconstruction project of VSU is one of the Korean Government’s rehabilitation projects for the recovery of the typhoon Yolanda. It will be constructed in cooperation with KOICA. The main building will have enough classrooms for students and also the new dormitory buildings will be built to accommodate 240 students. The project also covers the provision of adequate facilities for lectures and administrative works such as office furniture, computers, projectors, and etc. For the dormitory, furniture such as cabinets, beds, bookshelves will also be given by KOICA. Cost of the reconstruction project is estimated at P185 million and the building is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2017. “Today’s ceremony is a life-changing and a dream-fulfill-
ing occasion and the infrastructure that we have laid down will make that dream together,” Tulin said in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony. The new buildings will also comply with national standards on safety against typhoon, thus becoming safe and sustainable school buildings. “I am confident that these facilities will motivate the students for higher learning and nurture their potential to contribute to the development of Leyte and the rest of the country as well,” Ambassador KIM said during his keynote speech. Imperial also added “It goes without saying that with the gifts of classroom, laboratories and equipment and faculty scholarship of the Korean government, there will be a tremendous boost to the chances of the VSU being rewarded a Center of Development for Fisheries and establish higher academic reputation in marine sciences in the immediate future.” The project is a testimonial to the ever deepening friendship and diplomatic ties between the Government of the Republic of Korea and Government of the Republic of the Philippines which commenced more than six (6) decades ago. Both governments are equally optimistic that the project will strengthen the role of VSU Tolosa in higher education as well as to contribute to the cognitive and psychosocial development of the students by providing suitable learning and housing facilities.
VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin Ph.D., Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin, CHED Deputy Executive Director Napoleon B. Imperial Ph.D. and Leyte Province Board Member Bob Abellanosa. Photo from KOICA-Philippines
KOREA BULLETIN
3
Line Cook wins top spot in Global Taste of Korea
KCC Director OH Choong Suk (right) with Global Taste of Korea Grand Prize Winner Susana Ternate. A 34-year-old line cook of an upscale Korean restaurant in Manila won grand prize in the 2016 Global Taste of Korea Philippine Round. Susana Tarnate bested the 32 other finalists with her own version of “daktoritang” dish. Tarnate won 30, 000 pesos cash prize and a culinary trip to Korea. She will also represent the Philippines in the Grand Finals in Korea where she has a chance to win $ 10, 000. Daktoritang is a Korean spicy chicken stew cooked in a spicy red sauce along with vegetables. Placing second in the competition is Aileen Kim’s version of Salmon Kimchi Kimbap and followed by Maria Dolores Narciso’s Andong Dakjjim, who placed third. This year’s panel of judges was
composed of OH Choong-Suk, Director of Korean Cultural Center; HAN Kyung Goo, Sofitel Philippine Plaza F & B Operations Manager; PARK In-Shik, Director of Korean Tourism Organization Manila; Lily MIN, Korean Cuisine Specialist and Author of “Easy Korean Food 114;” and JOE Mi Hyung, KCC Cooking Class Instructor. Alongside with the cooking a competition, a Free Kimchi and Korean-style lunch box making workshop, led by Chef WOO Soojung from Korea, was held in the area. Korean cooking videos and photo exhibits were also shown to the guests. Volunteer students from Korea also prepared free Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and Bingsu or Korean-style halo-halo food taste for the guests to try.
Taekwondo history highlight of KCC exhibit opening
Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin together with KCC Director OH Choong Suk, members of Korean community, Philippine Taekwondo Demonstration Team and PTA committee.)
Tacloban rep wins 2016 Korean Speech Contest
From Left: LEE Jong Min, wife of Korean Ambassador KIM Jae Shin, Grand prize winner Angeli Marie Baclea-an and KCC Director OH Choong-suk
4
art & culture
K-pop activities mark KCC’s 5th Anniversary In celebration of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines’ (KCC) 5th Anniversary this July, K-pop fans will have a full-day feast on all things Korean as the center brings “Happy Hallyu Day” and “Pinoy K-Pop Star” on July 23 at Skydome, SM City North EDSA. Various Korean-related activities and booths of K-pop fan clubs and Korean products will be available for the guests. Korean cosmetic brand Missha will have make-up demonstration where guests can learn how to achieve the looks of popular K-pop artists. K-Pop cover dance groups and singers and KCC’s in-house Korean traditional dance team, will have performances during the event. A seminar about traveling to Korea will be conducted by Sparkling Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Gigi Yia. Fashion stylist and Editor RJ Roque will have a short talk and workshop on Korean style and K-pop-inspired fashion. Games and raffle draws are also prepared for the guests throughout the event.The event starts at 10 AM until 5PM. Among hundreds who applied at
the online auditions of Pinoy K-Pop Star, only 20 hopefuls were selected to compete in this year’s grand finals on July 23, 6PM at Skydome SM North EDSA. The contest is divided in to two categories: vocal and performance competition. The winner for the both categories will represent the Philippines in the online regional finals of 2016 K-POP World Festival. 2015 Pinoy K-Pop Star Vocal Category 2nd Prize winner and Philippine representative to the 2015 K-Pop World Festival Val John Librea will host the event. “I Love OPM’s” Grand Prize Winner Hwang Yohan and My Foreignay Dance Diva and KCC K-pop dance instructor Dasuri Choi will have special performances during the event. The two will also be part of the panel of judges for the competition. The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines was established in July 19, 2011 to complement the growing interest of the Filipinos in the Korean Wave or Hallyu.The events will be free admission to all.
The Korean Cultural Center will be holding the 48th Test of Proficiency on Korean (TOPIK) examinations on October 16, 2016. TOPIK, a Korean language test both for foreigners and overseas Koreans studying Korean, As part of its mission to promote the culture of Korea, The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) opened its Taekwondo Exhibition on June 9, 2016. “Soul of Korea: Taekwondo” features the history and development of the Korean martial art. Jointly organized by Taekwondowon Park in Korea and the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA), the exhibit displays Taekwondo-related materials and gears. An Experience Zone and Photo Zone is available for the guests to try the sport. A short symposium about Philippine Taekwondo history was held by Mr. Ricardo Santiago Jr., PTA
is generally used as a measure of proficiency in the said language by those whose native language is not Korean. Application Period is from July 11 to August 10 2016.
A 26-year-old volunteer teacher from Tacloban City won the grand prize in the Korean Speech Contest grand finals held last April 30 at the Ateneo de Manila University. Angeli Marie Baclea-an, who bested 10 other finalists from Manila, Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo and Davao, won a six-day Fun Korean Language Trip to Korea courtesy of the Korea Tourism Organization Manila (KTO) and 30,000 pesos. Placing second is Christine Dizon of the Philippine International College followed by third-place winner Janine Laddaran of Ateneo
de Manila University. Baclea-an’s Korean speech, “The Typhoon that Changed Me” centered on how the typhoon “Yolanda” changed her outlook in life. The Korean Speech Contest was organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) and is sponsored by KTO Manila along with partners United Korean Community Association in the Philippines, Ateneo Initiative for Korean Studies and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
TOPIK examinations set
KOREA BULLETIN
referee chairman on the day of the exhibit opening. Philippine Taekwondo Demonstration team also showcased their Taekwondo highskills demonstrations for the guests and visitors. During the opening ceremony, KCC Director OH Choong Suk said that the exhibit aims to promote further the international sport to the Filipinos. "I envision this exhibit will help increase the awareness and interest of Filipinos in Taekwondo," OH said. The exhibit runs from June 9 to August 19 at Korean Cultural Center Exhibition Hall. Admission is Free.