KOREA BULLETIN
The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
November 2013
FROM THE AMBASSADOR’S DESK H.E. LEE HYUK
The state visit of His Excellency Benigno C. Aquino III to Korea on October 17-18, 2013 highlighted the robust relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. The summit meeting between Her Excellency President PARK Geun-Hye and the Philippine president His Excellency Benigno Aquino III, at the Blue House was intended to further bilateral relations between the two nations. This objective was easily achieved, with the Korean and Philippine governments signing three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in defense and sports cooperation, including a loan assistance of US$80.4million to ease the adverse effects of flooding in the province of Pampanga. Minister KIM Kwan Jin and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin signed the MOU where the Ministry of National Defense of Korea and the Philippine’s Department of National Defense will maintain “friendly military ties” founded on “equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.” As part of this cooperation, the Philippines will be purchasing twelve (12) Korean fighter jets to beef up its air defense capability. President Aquino’s state visit pushed through despite a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that devastated the provinces of Bohol and Cebu on October 15th. World leaders immediately expressed their sympathies and support, including President PARK. The Korean government and people pledged a US$500,000 humanitarian assistance for the victims of the earthquake, as well as the conflict in Zamboanga. During his visit, President Aquino also had time to confer the Lakandula Award on Jasmine Bacurnay-LEE, a Filipina who was naturalized as a Korean citizen, and the first immigrant to be elected to Korea’s parliament. She represents the immigrant sector, especially foreign women married to Koreans. The Lakandula Award is one of the highest honors to be given to Filipino citizens who have done well, even those who have chosen to reside in other countries. Successive typhoons and the recent earthquake have placed the Philippines in a very fragile state, but these natural phenomena should not cast a cloud on the rosy economic climate that the country has been experiencing. The Republic of Korea is privileged to be a part of this development, as it inaugurated the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health on Septem-
ber 9. The construction of the center is meant to encourage and sustain collaboration among stakeholders and develop the capacity of human resources in health. This project will lead to a well-coordinated public health system, which will result in better health service delivery that will benefit some 3 million Caviteños. Earlier, on September 2, Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) and the Government of the Philippines signed the Certificate of Effectivity, which finally concluded the purchase of the 218-MW Angat Hydro-Electric Power Plant. The project is very important because Angat Dam is the main source of water for Metro Manila. The dam and the power plant are utilized for power generation, irrigation, water supply and flood control. As a testament to the rapid growth of the Philippines’ GDP, Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) opened its latest branch last September 4 at the Clark Freeport Zone, where some one hundred Korean companies are based. Expectedly, cultural and people-to-people relations continued to flourish. The Philippines, with its many attractions and very friendly people drew in about one million Korean visitors. And while many Koreans come to the Philippines to learn English, a number of Filipinos also strive to learn Korean, either for their own personal development or for employment purposes. The 9th Employment Permit System–Test of Proficiency in Korean, or EPS-TOPIK was held on August 11 and involved nearly 16,000 Filipinos aspiring to work in Korea. The Korean Cultural Center has been greatly instrumental in the growing popularity of the Korean language, as well as other facets of Korean culture. It celebrated its second year anniversary after a string of activities that served to deepen the existing bonds of amity and friendship between Koreans and Filipinos. The Korean Alphabet Jewelry Exhibit was launched on August 16, then the Hallyu Forum was held on September 17, followed by the Korean Film Festival, that kicked off on September 18. The KCC also promotes Korean cuisine and other art forms by offering lessons to the public. Judging from the positive response of the Filipino public to these Korean activities, I see in the future a stronger, more meaningful relationship between the Philippines and Korea.
CONTENTS KOR, PHL hold bilateral summit; ink three deals
Korea celebrates National Day Korea donates US$ 500,000 to quake victims and Zamboanga
KOREA BULLETIN
Korea Exchange Bank opens Clark branch
Hangeul exhibit to close Nov 30
Cavite Collaboration Hallyu Forum, anCenter for Public Health nual Korean Film inaugurated Festival held
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KOR, PHL hold bilateral summit; ink three deals President PARK Geunhye held summit talks with Filipino President Benigno S. Aquino III during the latter’s two-day state visit last October 17 and 18. They talked about ways to boost cooperation between the two countries, where the talks covered bilateral cooperation in politics, security, investment, trade, development, culture and human resource exchanges. The presidents also discussed ways to jointly deal with both global and regional issues involving the Korean Peninsula and East Asia. This is the first state visit by a foreign head of state to Korea since President PARK’s inauguration in February. President PARK expressed her hope that President Aquino’s visit could help deepen The Embassy of the Republic of Korea celebrated its National Day and Armed Forces Day last October 3 at the Ambassador’s residence. Ambassador LEE Hyuk led the celebration with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Jr. in attendance. This marks the second time that Ambassador LEE has hosted the National Day celebration since his posting in Manila October last year. In his speech, Ambassador LEE noted that the year 2013 marks the official commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, signed on July 27, 1953. “I wish to reiterate here that the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea or PEFTOK, which was part of the United Nations Command that defended the democracy of South Korea.” Ambassador LEE said. “I am quite certain that this strong connection is responsible for the nature of diplomatic and economic interaction that our two countries are now enjoying. The positive indicators of our bi-
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bilateral ties, since the Philippines is one of the countries that participated in the Korean War (1950-1953) and the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country with which Korea established diplomatic relations. President PARK also expressed her deep sympathy and condolences for those who suffered from the Bohol earthquake that caused loss of many lives and property damages. Both Presidents also witnessed the signing of three agreements in areas of defense, disaster risk reduction and sports. Korea will be supplying the Philippines with 12 fighter jets following the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between Korean Minister of
National Defense KIM Kwanjin Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last October 17. Korea and the Philippines also signed an MOU on sports cooperation with Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism YOO Jin-ryong and Foreign Minister of the Philippines Albert del Rosa-
Korean Embassy celebrates National and Armed Forces Day
Joining Ambassador LEE Hyuk (right) during the National Day celebration were (left) Brunei Ambassador Datin Paduka Malai Hjh Halimah Malai Hj Yussof and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario (center).
lateral cooperation will attest to this fact.” There are currently 100,000 Koreans living in the Philippines and the number of Korean tourists is projected to surpass one million; a testament to the flourishing peopleto-people relations between the two countries. Conversely, there are approximately 50,000 Filipinos working in
Korea. Korea is the fifth trading partner of the Philippines, ranking sixth in export volumes and fifth in imports. In 2012, the bilateral trade volume increased to US$11.5 billion. Within this framework, Korea’s exports to the Philippines reached US$8.2 billion and US$3.3 billion for imports.
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rio signing on behalf of both countries. Finally, Export Import Bank of Korea chairman and president KIM Yonghwan and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and signed the Loan Agreement for the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay Project.
Korea pledges aid for Zamboanga and quake victims The Korean Government, through its Embassy in the Philippines, will be providing humanitarian aid to the affected provinces of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Bohol last October 15, as well as to the people of Zamboanga in light of the recent armed conflict. In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, US$200,000 will be given to assist the people of Zamboanga, whileUS$300,000 will go to the provinces of Bohol and Cebu to help in relief operations. His Excellency LEE Hyuk, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of the Philippines, expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families and victims of the earthquake, and of the armed conflict, and hopes for their immediate recovery.
Korea Exchange Bank opens Clark branch The Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) opened its second Philippine office in Clark, Pampanga last September 4 in an effort to enhance its sales network in the region. The KEB is the largest foreign exchange bank in Korea, with 40 currencies in trading. With the opening in Clark, KEB now has 54 fullyoperational branches in 23 countries. “The Philippine economy is growing at a very favorable pace, and the number of
Korean companies enjoying the benefits of an export processing zone is growing along with it. The opening of this KEB branch will surely help ease the way that they do business here.” Ambassador LEE Hyuk said, citing that there are presently 92 firms in the Clark ecozone which are either partially or fully-owned by Koreans. KEB is confident that the second office will “serve as a cornerstone in raising revenues from abroad up to 15 percent by 2015.”
Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health inaugurated
The Korea International Cooperation Agency, together with the Provincial Government of Cavite and the Department of Health formally inaugurated the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health (CCCPH) at the General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital last September 9. The KOICA-funded CCCPH is the third phase of the Korea-Philippines Friendship Project for the health sector and is the first of its kind in the country. “Through KOICA, we agreed to support the construction of the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health to encourage and sustain collaboration among stakeholders and develop the capacity of human resources in health. I believe that this project will lead to a well-coordinated public health system, which will result in
better health service delivery that will benefit some 3 million Caviteños.” Ambassador LEE said, stressing that the health sector constitutes one of the primary areas for development cooperation between the two countries. The US$3 millionworth CCCPH will house Cavite’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the Health Promotion Unit, Water Analysis Laboratory, Family Planning Unit, MultiPurpose Surgical Facilities, Blood Collection Unit, TB Diagnostic Unit, and offices of the Technical Service, Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV) and the Provincial Health Team of the Department of Health. Present during the inauguration were Ambassador LEE Hyuk, KOICA and DOH representatives, as well as Cavite Governor Juanito Remulla and Vice-Governor Jolo Revilla.
Ambassador LEE Hyuk is joined by Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) CEO YUN Yong-ro (center) and other dignitaries during the opening ceremony of the Korea Exchange Bank branch in Clark Freeport Zone. Courtesy of KEB
K-Water, PHL partner to take over Angat Dam Project State-owned Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) and its Philippine partner San Miguel Corp., are taking over the 218-megawatt (MW) Angat hydroelectric powerplant (HEPP) project in Bulacan following the official turnover of the Certificate of Effectivity (CoE) last September 2. Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. handed over the CoE to K-Water vice president for overseas buying business YUNE Byunghoon with Korean Ambassador LEE Hyuk in attendance, as well as representatives from the Department of Finance, the
National Power Corporation, National Irrigation Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the local government of Norzagaray, Bulacan. K-Water placed a bid of US$440.88 million for Angat HEPP, besting five others. Angat HEPP consists of four main units, each with a 50-MW capacity. With the turnover, K-Water will be overseeing the operations and the maintenance of the powerplant. Established in 1967, Kwater has been implementing national water resources management policies regarding multi-purpose dams, water supply dams and regional water supply systems in Korea.
3,911 pass EPS-TOPIK
The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) released the list of passers for the ninth Employment Permit System - Test of Proficiency in Korean (EPS-TOPIK) administered last August 11 in the cities of Manila, La Union, Cebu and Davao. At 3,911, the number of aspiring workers to Korea has increased, which was orginally pegged at 2,800. The EPS-TOPIK exam is administered by Human
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Resources Development Services of Korea (HRD Korea) together with the cooperation of the POEA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The Employment Permit System allows Korean employers to legally employ foreign workers. It is aimed towards regulating employment in Korea. EPSTOPIK passers are eligible to apply for work in Korea.
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Arts & Culture
Annual Film Festival highlights the new wave of Korean cinema
Minister MIN Kyong-ho (center) is joined by the Director of the Korean Cultural Center HWANG Seong-un (L) and General Manager of CJ Entertainment Vietnam JUNG Tae-sun during the opening night of the 2013 Korean Film Festival at SM Megamall last September 18.
Top-grossing film “A Werewolf Boy”, starring popular actor SONG Joong-ki, opened the 2013 Korean Film Festival last September 18 at SM Megamall. The film, about the developing affections between a young “wolf boy” and a girl, was included in the roster of six featured films for the the film festival which ran until October 13 in select SM Cinemas across the country. For Manila, the film festival ran from September 18 to 22 at SM Megamall, followed by screenings in SM City Iloilo from September 26 to 29, October 3 to 6 in SM City Cebu and from October 10 to 13 at the SM Lanang Premier in Davao. Apart from A Werewolf Boy (늑대소년), the films
screened were Green Days ( 소중한 날의 꿈), Masquerade (광해, 왕이 된 남자), Sunny (써니), Deranged (연 가시), and Dancing Queen ( 댄싱퀸). The coming-of-age animated film Green Days (소 중한 날의 꿈), featured the voices of actors PARK Shinhye, SONG Chang-eui and OH Yeon-soo. Cast in the period film Masquerade (광해, 왕이 된 남자) were Hollywood actor LEE Byung-hun of the G.I Joe fame and HAN Hyo-joo as their respective characters tackle the intricacies of court life during the Joseon dynasty. The critically-acclaimed film Sunny (써니) retells the story of the friendship of seven girls as they move towards
Hallyu Forum 2013 centers on film, cooperation between KOR, PHL
Joining Ambassador LEE Hyuk (center) during the Hallyu Forum were the panelists for the first panel, namely: (L-R) Prof. Patrick Campos, Dean Roland Tolentino, Tito Valiente and KCC Director HWANG Seongun.
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Jewelry exhibit celebrates Hangeul
The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines launched the Korean Alphabet Jewelry exhibit last August 16 in celebration of the Hangeul Day or the Korean Alphabet Day and for the promotion of the aesthetics of this scientific writing system of the Koreans. This exhibit is aimed at disseminating the use of Hangeul and to introduce the beauty of the Korean alphabet through the diverse accessories related to the figures of Hangeul. In addition, this exhibit is envisioned to be a step towards the globalization of Hangeul through the aesthetic value it
has. There are 170 art pieces in the exhibit from 26 artists. The Hangeul or the Korean alphabet, composed of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, was developed in 1444 and was promulgated in 1446 during the time of King Sejong. It was primarily developed for the benefit of the Korean masses because King Sejong wanted to create a writing system that is easy to learn and access. In 1997, Hangeul was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Memory of the World Heritage. The exhibit runs until November 30.
an inevitable reunion. Thriller movie Deranged (연가시) tackled the suicide epidemic and a man’s search for cure amidst the panic that sweeps the country. The film Dancing Queen (댄싱퀸) tackled the story of the wife of the Seoul mayoral candidate and the conflicts of her marital life.
The 2013 Korean Film Festival is in cooperation with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Korea Tourism Organization – Manila (KTO), the Korea Copyright Commission, SM Cinema, SM Cinema Megamall, SM Cinema Lanang and LG.
The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines held the second Korean Wave (Hallyu) Forum last September 17 at the Manila Hotel. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of Korea, the Korea Organization of International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the forum, entitled “Hallyu Forum 2013: The New Wave of Cinema,” explored the industries of Korea and the Philippines towards a more strengthened
cooperation between the two countries. Guests Patrick Campos of UP Film Institute, Roland Tolentino of FDCP, Tito Valiente of Gawad Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, PARK Ji-yin of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), Filipino director Ato Bautista and JUNG Taesun of CJ Entertainment Vietnam. Also in attendance were Isabel de Leon, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Editor, filmmaker Jade Castro, Korean producer Jonathan Kim and Jag Garcia of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
KOREA BULLETIN