KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
FROM
THE
NOVEMBER 2016
AMBASSADOR‘S
DESK
KIM Jae-shin, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary
Time has certainly gone by so quickly. Another year has passed and now, I find myself greeting you all again an advanced Merry Christmas. And once more, I wish to congratulate the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) for publishing this issue of the Korea Bulletin. As in the past few years since it opened its doors to Filipinos, the KCC has been busy organizing events that bridge the gap between Korea and the Philippines through cultural exposure and exchange. Since August, the KCC has held the Royal Palace Exhibit (which will run until November 18), the 2016 Korean Film Festival at the SM cinemas and Philippines Korea Cultural Exchange Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, as well as the ASEAN Master Craft Designers Festival at the World Trade Center,
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and the K-Ribbon Selection Exhibit at the Shangri-la Mall. It also facilitated the holding of the 7th KoSASA Biennial Conference. KoSASA stands for Korean Studies Association of Southeast Asia, and is under the leadership of University of the Philippines President Dr. Alfredo Pascual. And before October ended, I attended the 3rd Ateneo Korean Studies Conference, organized by Ateneo de Manila University, where former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. was the Keynote speaker in the event which had the theme, “Revisiting the Korean War: History, memory and its implications on contemporary nationbuilding.” The KoSASA conference reminded me of just how closely-linked Korea and the Philippines are. It was a
SMC, K-Water Start Angat Dam Rehab
when the close relations between Korea and the Philippines can really help in the country’s recovery efforts. Infrastructure and agriculture happen to be two areas where cooperation between the two countries has been steadily growing. And like I said during our National Day reception, Korea is committed to further deepen relations with the Philippines through extended cooperation in diverse fields, including political, economic and socio-cultural areas for our mutual benefit. Toward this end, Korea will also closely work with the Philippines as 2017 ASEAN country chair for a successful summit next year. Lastly, I wish every Korean and Filipino the merriest Christmas and the most peaceful, prosperous, and hopeful New Year.
Korean gov’t inaugurates 3 Iloilo public hospitals
Philippines, Korea to Strengthen Agricultural Ties AG&P to invest in Korean firm GAS Entec
PH hosts 7th KoSASA conference
validation of the same joyous spirit of camaraderie that I experienced on Korea National Foundation Day which is commemorated each year on October 3. At our rainy celebration last October 11, I had the opportunity to apply something I recently learned about Filipino customs – that in the Philippines, the rain is a blessing when it falls during a special occasion. I am getting used to the wet and dry seasons of the Philippines, but I am not particularly fond of the storms. So far, ten typhoons have entered the country since August, with typhoon Lawin (Haima) being the most destructive. Although the casualty was low, nearly 30,000 families in Northern Luzon were affected and the damage to infrastructure and agriculture reached around P650 million. It is during times like this
Ateneo hosts ‘Window on Korea’
Korean Embassy holds Korea National Day and Armed Forces Day Reception
KOREA BULLETIN
Filipino and Korean Talents Shine at the 2016 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival
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