Korea Bulletin July 2013

KOREA BULLETIN

The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea

As Korea consolidates its relations in the Southeast Asian region, we are grateful for the continuous support of the Philippine government. At the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting between the Republic of Korea and ASEAN in Brunei last July, the Philippines, together with the other members of ASEAN, supported Korea’s proposal to hold the ROK – ASEAN Special Summit in Seoul next year. The Special Summit, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the bilateral dialogue, will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership of Korea with ASEAN and contribute to the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

The second half of the year yielded positive results and showed potential for sustained economic growth. The inauguration of KEPCO KPS Philippines Corporation, the first ever power plant maintenance technology in the Philippines, highlighted the deepening cooperation between the Philippines and Korea in the energy sector. KEPCO KPS is expected to promote stability in the power supply in the country. We also witnessed the grand launching of the partnership between Yu Eng Kao and LS Industrial Systems, two of our countries main electronics producers and distributors. The partnership will provide a wider option of electronic products and address the growing electronic needs of Filipino consumers. Moreover, the visit of the business leaders from the Korea Importers Association was an excellent opportunity to reinforce the dynamic and increasingly competitive economic relations between our two countries.

Korea is also fully committed in further assisting the Philippines through the completion of various development cooperation projects. The Laguindingan International Airport in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan, which was recently inaugurated and attended by President Benigno S. Aquino III, will serve as the new gateway for tourists in Northern Mindanao. With improved and modern facilities, the airport will boost the development and increase the number of tourists in Mindanao. Another recently completed project is the Modern Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Davao del Sur. RPC Davao, which is the last RPC constructed, is anticipated to contribute to the Philippine government’s goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency this year.

Lastly, our cultural and people-to-people relations continue to flourish. I am very much delighted by the fact that the volume of Korean tourist arrivals exceeded that of last year for the same period. With almost half a million visitors already, Koreans remain the number one tourists in the Philippines. And as the Korean Cultural Center celebrates its second year anniversary, we look forward to more cultural activities that will deepen the existing bonds of amity and friendship between our people.

Maraming salamat po.

July 2013

DOTC unveils marker for the EDCFfunded Laguindingan Airport

Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

President Benigno Aquino III led the unveiling of the marker for the Laguindingan Airport at Misamis Oriental last June 11, together with Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Ambassador LEE Hyuk of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Tae-ik PARK, Chief Representative of the Manila Office of the Korea Export-Import Bank.

Also present in the ceremony were Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General William Hotchkiss III and businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel Ayala.

The Laguindingan Airport was constructed through the support of the Korea Eximbank and the loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) amounting to US$48.2 million and an export credit of US$62.8 million, totaling to US$111 million from a total project cost of US$167 million. The airport is currently in the process of installing the Navigation Safety Facilities using Korean technology which is also supported by the EDCF loan of US$13 million and is expected to be finished by June 2014.

The Laguindingan International Airport has a passenger terminal size of 7,184 sq. m and can hold 1.9 million passengers on an annual basis.

“As another benchmark of cooperation between the Philippines and Korea, I believe that this project will not only contribute to the advancement of the economy and tourism industry in Mindanao, but will also become a useful catalyst in integrating the region,” Ambassador LEE said in his message.

To date, the EDCF has supported 18 projects in the Philippines which include the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project and the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project with a total amount of US$741 million; making significant contributions towards strengthening the bilateral economic ties and cooperation between the Philippines and Korea.

KOREA BULLETIN

1

Korea to Implement $22-M Irrigation Project in Isabela The Korean Government, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Government of Isabela, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the “Adapting to Climate Change Impacts through the Construction of Water Impounding Facilities in the Philippines” last July 4 at Ilagan City, Isabela.

This significant event was attended by Senator Grace Poe, Ambassador LEE Hyuk of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of DA, Resident Representative SONG Minhyeon of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Governor Faustino Dy III of the Provincial of Isabela and other local officials.

The project aims to re-

duce the adverse impact of climate change and enhance water management through the construction of an earthfilled dam, irrigation facilities, multi-purpose access roads; and reforestation of watershed area along the PASA river in Isabela Province. Once completed, the project will irrigate 980 hectares of farm lands, provide forest cover to 465 hectares of agricultural lands, and provide road access for transporting farm produce.

Ambassador LEE said that the project is the largest grant assistance provided by Korea to the Philippines with a total cost of around US$ 22 million.

“This project is an indication of Korea’s strong commitment in helping the Philippines achieve its goals, not just in terms of climate

Korea conducts trade buying mission in PHL

Sergio Ortiz-Luis (left), President of the Philippines Exporters Confederation Inc., and KOIMA Chairman Thomas T.Y. Shinn, sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines Exporters Confederation and the Korea Importers Association during the Philippines-Korea Business Forum at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel, Philippine Plaza, in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

The Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), composed of a 182-strong delegate, conducted a trade buying mission in the Philippines between July 18 to 20.

The trade mission was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

2

and was organized by the by the Gyeongsangbuk-do government with the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency to entice the Korean importers to explore opportunities in the country and to further enhance the economic relations between Korea and the Philippines.

change, but also in agricultural development and economic growth. This is because the project will mitigate climate change by managing water resources, and will likewise help farmer beneficiaries improve their agricultural productivity through the effective usage of

water impounding facilities.”

He said in his speech.

The project is jointly implemented by KOICA, DANational Irrigation Administration and the Provincial Government of Isabela. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2015.

KFFA donates 20 firetrucks to Bureau of Fire Protection The Korea Federation of Fire Association (KFFA) donated 20 firetrucks to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) last July 9 during the welcome dinner and signing of the deed of donation at the Trader’s Hotel in Manila.

The donation enabled the BFP to comply with the requirements of the ASEAN Peatland Forest Project in continuation of building capability.

In attendance were BFP Officer-in-Charge CSUPT. Carlito Romero, Ambassodor LEE Hyuk, ASEAN-IFAD members, and mayors of the respective firetruck recipient municipalities.

Romero said that the donated firetrucks will be given to third class municipalities which have fire stations but without firetrucks as well as to those jurisdictions with minimal firefighting capabilities to fight forest fires.

KOREA BULLETIN

In a message sent by the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, he expressed gratitude to the generosity of KFFA in donating the firetrucks to the BFP. The Interior Secretary also pointed out the importance of continuous strengthening of areas of cooperation of the Philippines and international countries to sustain biodiversity and peatland forests.

KFFA donated a total of 20 firetrucks, 10 of which were already distributed to the recipient municipalities last January 2013.

The refurbished firetrucks are complete with brand new personnel protective equipment (PPE) costing roughly around Php 60 million.

The event also recognized the KFFA for its support to the Bureau and the firetruck donations.

Korea turns over Davao del Sur Rice Processing Complex to PHL The Korean Government reaffirmed its commitment in helping the Philippines achieve rice self-sufficiency and food security during the July 19 inauguration ceremony of the US$3.25 M Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Matanao, Davao del Sur. The ceremony was attended

by Korean Ambassador LEE Hyuk, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, KOICA Vice President HAN Choong Sik, and Vice Governor Aileen Almendras.

The RPC is a “one-stop service center” equipped with state-of-the-art, post-harvest facilities and technologies that will improve the efficiency of rice production, milling, drying and storage thereby reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing rice quality. The complex, with a total area of

10,000 square meters, has a drying capacity of 3,600 metric tons per year, a milling capacity of 3 MT or an equivalent of 60 cavans per hour, a milling recovery of 65% and a storage capacity of 22,000 bags.

In his message, Ambassador LEE noted his country’s recognition of the importance of agriculture and rural development. “Just like the four RPCs we previously inaugurated, this facility emphasizes the primacy Korea puts on agriculture. More importantly, it represents what the Korean government and people deeply care about – the alleviation of poverty and hunger and the promotion of economic growth,” he said.

KOICA Vice President HAN mentioned that the success of the partnership is built

on the belief that agriculture is the bedrock of the Philippine economy. “We are now more than ever committed to continue and steadily increase our development assistance to the sector ranging from irrigation, rice production, seafood processing, agro-industrial development, and livestock improvement. These initiatives will surely contribute to the Philippine government’s goal of inclusive growth and poverty reduction,” he said.

The RPC project was made possible through a US$13 M grant from the Korean government. It is being implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local governments of the project sites. Aside from Davao del Sur, the Korean Government has established RPCs in Aurora, Pangasinan, Bohol and Iloilo.

Arts & Culture As part of the ongoing 2013 Korea Festival in ASEAN, the Korea Foundation, in cooperation with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea (NMCA Korea) and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, will be launching the exhibit “Fifty Years of Korean Contemporary Printmaking” on August 1, 2013.

The exhibit consists of 81 works sourced from the NMCA collection of prints from the second half of the 20th century and it will be displayed in an effort to introduce the history of Korean printmaking tradition to the Filipinos. The exhibit will be divided into six periods, starting from the 50s, generally regarded as the era where Korean artists used woodblock as their major medium. Then the 60s where the interest in printmaking grew steadily among the young artists that led to the formation of the Korean Contemporary Printmakers Asso-

ciation in 1968. This period is known as the development period, whereas printmaking between 70s-80s is referred to proliferation. In the 70s, printmaking gained a unique stature in the Korean art circles due to the accumulation and enhancement of printmaking techniques.

In 1980, the Minjung printmaking movement came to rise among artists as a means to communicate with the public. Minjung, a Korean term that refers to the masses, increasingly became prevalent in woodblock printing and

from this emerged the socially engaged art movement that highlighted social contradictions.

By the 90s, Printmaking in Korea has become so diversified, which includes the use of computers, alternative art forms, and installation art, among many others.

This exhibition is an opportunity to experience this different aspect of Korean culture and will be an excellent venue for Filipino and Korean exchange thru the fine arts.

On August 1 at 10am, HWANG Yoon-jung, NMCA

KOREA BULLETIN

Curator is set to deliver a curator’s talk and at 3pm, CHUNG Hyung-min, the Director of NMCA will conduct a special lecture at the MET Museum.

The public is cordially invited.

The exhibit is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines.

It will be open to the public until August 23, 2013. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila is located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

3

Taekwondo, K-Pop headline KCC second year anniversary A six-member EXO cover dance group bagged the crown for the Philippine leg of the 2013 K-Pop Cover Dance Competition held last July 19 during the “Korea Night,� the second year anniversary celebration of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines held at the SM Cinema Centerstage at the Mall of Asia.

The group, called NEO, mashed up four EXO songs as a remix boot for their performance for the Visit Korea-hosted competition.

NEO, competing against a host of eight other local cover groups, will be representing the Philippines in the K-Pop Cover Dance Festival in October in Gangwon, Korea.

Other cover groups that participated were WHILE, as a cover for Infinite, Se-Eon for Bangtan Boys, Mister E for 2NE1, SHINErs for SHINee, Black MJIC for After School, Miss Zey for Miss A, Ku-Kiss for U-Kiss, and Hybrid Crew for B.A.P. The panel of judges consisted of Mr. HWANG

Korean Culture Caravans at UP, UST held

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), held two separate Korean Culture Caravans at the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines last June 28 and July 13, respectively.

The Culture Caravan, one of the flagship projects of the Center, was initiated in the

4

(Top) Ambassador LEE attends the UST Culture Caravan. It is his third visit to UST. Meanwhile (photo below), UP President Alfredo Pascual welcomes the guests during the UP leg.

Seong-un, the Director of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Mr. ZHU Sangyong, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization and Ms. Gigi Yia of Sparkling Magazine.

Opening Act The opening act of the night was the TAL Musical, a nonverbal routine that fuses both the Korean mask tradition and the Taoist-based Taekwondo training. The TAL Musical featured a fantastic story that harmonized with

the Korean traditional dance and Oriental drumming.

Apart from these, B-Boy performances further delighted the crowd, as it is regarded as the current cultural icon of the youth.

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines was established last July 19, 2011 to further promote Korean Culture in the country. The event was sponsored, in part,

by KTO Manila, SM Cinema in SM Mall of Asia, Bulgogi Brothers, Etude House and Tony Moly.

and KTO, touching bases on the overview of Korean Culture and tourism. Apart from this, there were also varied activities such as raffles, cultural performances and special classes such as the sagunja or the Korean Traditional Ink Painting and the Korean traditional fan dance.

The Korean Culture Caravan is part of its second year anniversary celebration.

Earlier this July, the Center held the Pinoy KPOP Star the Korea Night last July 19 at

the SM Centerstage, Mall of Asia; the 50 Years of Korean Contemporary Printmaking Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum from August 1-23 and the Hangeul Ornaments Exhibit at the Korean Cultural Center from August 16 onwards.

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines was established last July 19, 2011 and is offering a variety of programs designed for the Filipino market, in response to the growing interest of the locals to Korean culture.

hopes of further promoting Korean culture and tourism in the country by reaching out to the academic communities in the Metro.

The Caravan consisted of a lecture from both KCC

KOREA BULLETIN