KOREA BULLETIN
The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
From the Ambassador’s Desk On behalf of the Korean Embassy, I would like to wish the readers of the Korea Bulletin a happy and prosperous new year. When we look back in the year of 2011, may we all feel pleased and proud that it brought remarkable achievements in all aspects of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Korea. We witnessed the active engagements and high-level exchanges between our two governments that were culminated with the State Visit of His Excellency LEE Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea, to the Philippines in November. The summit meeting between President LEE Myung-bak and President Benigno S. Aquino III produced a forward-looking and concrete platform where our two countries will further advance our already strong partnership. This year, I anticipate that our political exchanges will further develop, building on the achievements that we jointly made in earlier years. In the aspect of economic relations, trade and investment flows are expected to grow further. The trade volume is anticipated to grow beyond US$10-billion of record that we achieved last year. Through the enhanced partnership and improved business environment in the Philippines, I am hopeful this momentum will be sustained with more favorable outcomes to the mutual benefit of our two countries. People-to-people exchange grew substantially last year. About 900,000 Korean travelers visited the Philippines. Similarly, cultural exchanges are also on the rise. The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, which opened last July, will continue to bring our two cultures closer and contribute to the deepening friendship between our two peoples. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Filipino and Korean people for the unrelenting support they extended. These achievements would not have been made possible without the close partnership and cooperation between the governments and peoples of our two countries. I count on your continued support as we pursue even stronger bilateral ties. Once again, may this new year bring a brighter future for all of us.
CONTENTS Korea, PHL expand bilateral cooperation, sign agreements Korea provides U$610,000-worth of Humanitarian Aid to Sendong Victims Korea-Philippine Partnership forum tackles ties, culture e-Smart World Asia 2012: A Global Platform for ICT Cooperatuion Korea and PEMSEA sign Funding Agreement on Port Safety Seoul to host 2012 Nuclear Security Summit KOICA turns over Mactan Cebu Intl Airport study to PHL government Yeosu 2012 to tackle marine conservation
January 2012
Korea, PHL expand bilateral cooperation, sign agreements
President LEE Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea was in the Philippines for a threeday state visit last November. He met with President Benigno Aquino III and held an expanded bilateral meeting.
President LEE Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea met with President Benigno S. Aquino III during his State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines on November 21-23, 2011. At the summit meeting, the two leaders exchanged their views and expressed their commitment to the further development of bilateral relations in political, defense, economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. President LEE and President Aquino also discussed the regional issues of mutual concern including the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Both leaders witnessed the signing of five agreements by respective officials. The first two of which were signed between Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan and his Filipino counterpart Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. The Framework Agreement for Grants Aid will enable the Philippines to loan a maximum of $500 million from 2011 to 2013 through the ExportImport Bank of Korea. The Korean and Philippine Governments also agreed on setting up a power plant in Subic Bay Economic Zone. This MoU was signed by Minister of Knowledge Economy Hong Suk Woo and Energy Secretary Jose Almendras. Two agriculture-related MoUs were also signed between the Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Suh Kyu-yong and
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Korea Export Import Bank President Kim Yong-hwan and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. The MoU between the Department of Agriculture and Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the Multi-Industry Cluster Project in the Philippines is a type of public-private partnership business undertaking the efficient utilization of the agricultural resources of both countries. The MoU between DA and the Korea EXIM Bank involved the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II for the irrigation system intended to sustain rice self-sufficiency levels by 2013. Together with President Aquino, President LEE also participated in the Korea-Philippines Business Forum attended by major Korean and Philippine corporations. Moreover, President LEE had a town hall meeting with the Filipino students of the Ateneo de Manila University where the latter had the chance to interact with the Korean president on key issues of bilateral relations, regional and global concern as well as the future role of the youth of the two countries. The Republic of Korea is the Philippines’ third largest source of foreign investment and the fifth largest trading partner, with the trade volume reaching US$10 billion last year. Korean travellers are also the top tourist visitors by nationality in the Philippines.
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STATE VISIT of President LEE Myung-bak
Korea provides U$610,000-worth of Humanitarian Aid to Sendong Victims
Undersecretary Alicia Bala of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) receives the donations made by the Korean government and the Korean community through Ambassador Hye Min LEE in a simple turnover ceremony.
The Government and the people of the Republic of Korea extended their deepest sympathies and support to the victims and bereaved families of Tropical Storm Sendong. In a letter sent to President Aquino last December 20, 2011, President LEE Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea expressed his profound condolences to the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong. President LEE was also hopeful that under the leadership of President Aquino, the “Filipino people will soon overcome the difficulties brought by the calamity.” Ambassador Hye Min LEE of the Republic of Korea officially turned over relief items for humanitarian assistance worth U$500,000 for the victims of Tropical Storm
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Sendong to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last December 30. At the turn-over ceremony, Ambassador LEE emphasized that the “mutual help that our two nations so willingly extended to each other is what the Filipino sense of solidarity Bayanihan is about.” In addition, Korean companies operating in the Philippines pledged their donations. Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation donated Php2,000,000, while Hanjin Heavy Industry Corporation-Philippines and Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) Philippines contributed U$20,000 and U$10,000, respectively. Join Together Society (JTS) Korea, a non-governmental relief organization, also pledged U$30,000 worth of assistance.
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Korea-Philippine Partnership forum tackles foreign relations, culture The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Asian Studies and the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines tackled issues regarding diplomatic ties, tourism and people-to-people exchange relevant to Korea and the Philippines during the Second Korea-Philippine Partnership Forum held at the Intercontinental Hotel last December 5, 2011. The forum, attended by members of the academe, the media and the economic and tourism industry covered three panels for discussion namely, the image of Korea and Koreans in the Philippines, the tourism relations between the two countries, and the analysis of the situation of
Koreans in the Philippines. “Our excellent people-to-people ties serve as the key foundation of our enduring partnership, thereby contributing to the growth of our economic and political partnership. However, to continuously foster our good relations and encourage mutual exchange between our two peoples, we need continuous endeavor to re-examine our shared vision.” Ambassador Hye Min LEE said in his opening remarks, citing the progress of the people-to-people exchange between Korea and the Philippines, especially with the affinity of the Filipinos to Korean entertainment. Under the first panel the perception of the Filipinos of Korea and
With Ambassador Hye Min LEE are Senator Loren Legarda, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario (leftmost), UP Asian Center Acting Dean Dr. Carolyn Sobritchea (third from left), and Ateneo Center for Asian Studies Executive Director Dr. Lydia Yu Jose (rightmost).
Koreans were presented in light with the growing influence of ‘Hallyu’ or Korean Wave in the country as well as the latter’s implications. Apart from these, papers were also presented on the tourism between
e-Smart World Asia 2012: A Global Platform for ICT Cooperation The importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a global platform for bringing cooperation among Asian countries is one of the highlights of the recently concluded e-Smart World Asia 2012 which was held last January 18-19, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City, Philippines. It was organized by the combined efforts of Korea TradeInvestment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The two-day meet was attended by more than 250 participants from all over Asia and the Philippines,
L-R: Usec. Richard Moya (DBM), Mr. Kim Doh Yoon (NISA), Mr. Yoon Seok Yong (ADB), Dr. Eton See-Tan (PhilKorec), Ambassador Hye Min LEE, Mr. Woo Ki Hoon (KOTRA VP for Marketing), Mr. Hoang Ngoc Hung (CEO, CMC Software Solutions Vietnam), Usec. Alejandro Melchor III (DOST-ICTO), Director Johwan Choi (KOTRA-Manila)
which turned out to be a window of opportunity for those who intend to establish viable business partnership with some of the formidable players in the global ICT market.
“I believe that Korea and other Asian countries have huge potentials to cooperate in the ICT sector.” Ambassador Hye Min LEE said, adding that ICT development
two countries, the existing challenges and concerns of Korean tourists in the country, the Philippine immigration policies and the existing and emerging challenges in the Korean community. can aid in the country’s economic growth. Joining the ICT forum were some of the most formidable and successful Korean ICT innovators including the National Information Society Agency; SK C&C; Hyundai U&I; KEON-A; Korea I.O. Tech; JungDo UIT; ACK; Interdev Inc.; and HyunJin.com. Moreover, official representatives from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines presented their respective national IT and Business Models for IT service sector. Also in attendance were Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Richard Bon Moya and KOTRA Executive VicePresident Woo Ki Hoon.
Korea and PEMSEA sign Funding Agreement on Port Safety The Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Partnerships in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) signed on December 14, 2011 a Funding Agreement on Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management. The agreement sets forth the responsibilities to be undertaken by the Parties to effectively contribute to the sustainable development of the Seas of East Asia through the implementation of an integrated port safety, health and environmental management system that fully addresses the objectives and standards of relevant international instruments, including the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). It will also focus on the adop-
tion and implementation of the Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS) Code by international organizations, port associations, responsible national authorities, port operators and other concerned stakeholders. A PSHEMS Recognition System will also be launched to formally acknowledge effective implementation of the PSHEMS Code in ports of the East Asian region. “Our government is pleased to support the implementation of the project. Drawing from Korea’s development experience and comparative advantage in governance, we can effectively support in the establishment of a PSHEMS governance mechanism for the proper management of activities related to the project and its accompanying system services,” KOICA Resident
KOICA Philippine Representative Kim Jinoh with Professor Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Executive Director of PEMSEA Resource Facility.
Representative Mr. Kim Jinoh said. He also commended the initiative of PEMSEA led by Professor Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Executive Director of PEMSEA Resource Facility, in coming up with the PSHEM code
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as an approach for port authorities and port operators for effective port management system in support to the implementation of the Integrated Coastal Management programs and strategies.
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Seoul to host 2012 Nuclear Security Summit
President LEE Myung-bak announces that Seoul will be hosting the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit during the first nuclear summit in Washington in 2010.
The Republic of Korea has been designated as the host for the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit to be held on March 26-27 in the city of Seoul. Expected attendees are 47 heads of states and three international organizations namely the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union, all of which have attended the first Nuclear Security Summit. The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit 2012 will be tackling the fundamental issues of nuclear security which include the response to nuclear terrorism, protection of nuclear materials and facilities,
prevention of trafficking of nuclear materials and the issues of nuclear and radiological safety. The SNSS will seek concrete measures to implement the agreements reached during the 2010 Washington NSS, expand the agenda to maintain the momentum of Washington NSS, pursue harmony with existing nuclear-related frameworks and build nuclear security governance that encompasses the academia, industry and civil society. The vision and implementation measures of the Seoul Summit will be outlined in the Seoul Communi-
qué. The Communiqué will include core issues such as the management of nuclear and radioactive materials, protection of nuclear facilities, prevention of illicit trafficking and issues concerning regulatory, policy-related, institutional, cultural and technical aspects of nuclear security. The Republic of Korea has hosted the 2000 ASEM Summit, the 2005 APEC Summit and the 2010 G20 Summit. For updates and details regarding the upcoming summit, visit www.seoulnss.go.kr.
KOICA turns over Mactan Cebu Intl Airport study to PHL govt The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) turned over the final report of the Feasibility Study for the New Passenger Terminal and Master Plan of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to the Philippine Government on November 10, 2011. The report contains studies on the condition of existing airport facilities, environmental analysis, air traffic demand forecast, airport master plan, and feasibility study for the new passenger terminal. Resident Representative Kim Jinoh of KOICA Philippine Office handed over the report to General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete of the MactanCebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA). The project seeks to improve passenger safety and air transportation infrastructure in Cebu. It is envisioned that the upgrading of the MCIA would promote tourist access to Cebu Province and Central Visayas, thereby increasing local employment and income generation. In his remarks, Resident Representative Kim said that the findings and recommendations of the feasibility study and master plan should be immediately implemented, given the fact that the airport is already operating at an overcapacity. The study was conducted over a one-year period and was made possible through a US$ 1.1 million grant from the Korean government.
Yeosu 2012 to tackle marine conservation Apart from the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, the Republic of Korea will also be hosting the Yeosu Expo 2012 on May 12 to August 12 with the vision of getting humanity back on a sustainable track through ocean and coasts conservation. The Expo will also be tackling global measures to address the protection of the endangered marine and coastal environment of the Earth and its ecosystems, with calls for international cooperation to the participating countries. Yeosu 2012 will entirely be focused on seeking co-existence and co-prosperity between the ocean, its coasts and humanity at the light of global warming and environment exploitation. “Now, in the twenty-first century, the ocean is the key to our future. Its limitless possibilities are becoming more and more important
to our survival. In this regard, Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea will be an important venue to search for measures to preserve the ocean and at the same time utilize it in a sustainable way.” President LEE Myung-bak said in his invitation. The Yeosu Declaration is expected to be deliberated and adopted during the Expo, with its call for a joint planetary response to marine threats. The Yeosu Project, an embodiment of principles and values of the Yeosu Declaration is a program for assisting developing countries confronted with marine and coastal problems. The Yeosu emblem carries the colors red, green, blue and white which stands for species, environment, oceans and the dynamic waves of the seas. Apart from the emblem, the expo also has mascots
namely Yeony and Suny whose names were derived from the host city. Yeony, whose color is dark blue, symbolizes the deep ocean
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water and its limitless natural resources, while the bright red color of Suny represents the living organisms of the oceans and land.
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