Korea Bulletin November 2017

KOREA BULLETIN The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea

FROM

THE

NOVEMBER 2017

AMBASSADOR‘S

DESK

KIM Jae-shin, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary

Amid all the preparations for the recently-concluded ASEAN activities, I am delighted to send my early Christmas greetings to the Korean community in the Philippines, as well as to all Filipinos in this lovely place that has been my home away from home for nearly three years.

Before anything else, I want to congratulate the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) for publishing this issue of the Korea Bulletin.

It serves to remind us of the events in the past quarter that impacted on Korea-Philippine relations, and gives us an idea of what lies ahead.

In the context of the ASEAN, it must be pointed out that the Republic of Korea began dialogues with the ASEAN in 1989. Since then, political, security, economic, and sociocultural cooperation have expanded to include ROK’s support for ASEAN’s efforts to narrow the development gap throughout the region.

As one of the founding members of the ASEAN and chair of ASEAN 2017, the Philippines plays a major role in further deepening ASEAN-ROK relations.

Korean President Moon Jae-In, who attended the ASEAN Plus Three summit, had occasion to speak to President Rodrigo Duterte during their bilateral meeting last November 13. Noting the popularity of the Korean wave in the Philippines and the number of Koreans who visit

the country every year, President Moon expressed "great pleasure that our two peoples are deepening mutual understanding and friendship through close exchanges."

President Moon also described the Philippines as a "long-time friend" of Korea, special even among Southeast Asian countries. He said the Philippines was the “first among ASEAN nations to open diplomatic relations with Korea and the first among Asian nations to send ground forces to fight by our side during the Korean War." Because of this history of friendship and cooperation, President Moon expressed high hopes for fostering ties between Korea and ASEAN, by raising relations to the highest level, especially under the chairmanship of the Philippines.

For his part, after assuring President Moon regarding the safety and security of Koreans in the Philippines, President Duterte focused on trade and the economy. He invited South Korean businessmen to invest in the Philippines, in manufacturing, automotive, food production, processing, agribusiness, electronics, and energy, among other sectors.

Related to this, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano went to Korea last September – the first time a Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Philippines visited Korea since 2012 – for the opening of the ASEAN Culture House (ACH)

in Busan. Secretary Cayetano expressed his hope that the ACH would be a lasting symbol of the ever-growing partnership between Korea and the ASEAN, as they chart a future of mutual peace, prosperity, and cultural vibrancy.

Earlier, in August, Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha visited the Philippines to attend the 50th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings.

On the local scene, one of the events worth mentioning is the inauguration of the KoreaPhilippines Q-LiFE Feed Mill Plant last August, a joint project of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Provincial Government of Quirino. Envisioned to help increase the income of farmers and improve the productivity of livestock, the plant will provide farmers from Quirino as well as its neighboring areas access to high quality and reasonably priced animal feed.

In the area of defense cooperation, with all twelve Korean-made FA-50 fighter jets contributing to reinforcing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, two frigates are set to be delivered in 2020.

As for cultural exchange, the KCC must be commended for continuously promoting Korean culture in the Philippines.

Apart from the annual Korean Film Festival and the FilipinoKorean Cultural Exchange Festival, both held in September,

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KCC also organized the twopart “BEYOND BORDERS: ASEAN-Korea Arts Exchange Project.” The Dance Exchange Project on October 20, where various dancers from Korea and the ASEAN countries performed with Ballet Manila, was a good partner to the Graffiti Art Project, in which various artists created a mural in Bonifacio Global City, unveiled last November 2, in celebration of Korean-ASEAN cooperation.

Filipinos who want to witness Korean artistry in an entirely different setting can visit Korea in February next year and be a part of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. I believe this will be a wonderful opportunity for Filipino travelers to enjoy winter sports and the picturesque winter sceneries of Korea. Visitors will not only get to witness and even experience popular winter sports like skiing, ice, skating, snowboarding, and sledding, among others, but they can also join festivals, see the places where their popular shows are shot, or shop for trendy clothes, accessories, and cosmetics. Throughout their vacation, they can enjoy familiar Korean cuisine and the hospitality of the locals.

With all these developments, I am optimistic that in the years ahead, the relationship between Korea and the Philippines will continue to flourish and expand to various areas of cooperation.

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Korea Donates P5M for Marawi Victims The Korean government, through its Ambassador in the Philippines KIM Jae-shin delivered 5-million peso humanitarian aid to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on July 5, 2017, to assist civilians displaced by the conflict in Marawi City in Mindanao.

At the turn-over ceremony held at the PRC Tower in Mandaluyong City, Ambassador KIM expressed his condolences to the victims of the conflict

in Marawi City and is hoping that the conflict will end as soon as possible. He also wishes that this small contribution will be helpful in easing the difficulties of the people on evacuation centers.

The aid will be spent to provide water, food, and non-food items to the evacuees and to run portalets and bathing facilities in different evacuation centers where the Marawi victims are displaced.

(Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin (left) presents the deed of donation to Philippine Red Cross Chair and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon)

The Republic of Korea is committed to fight against terrorism and is ready to provide

necessary help to the Philippines in this time of difficulty.

aid support for agroforestry, community livelihood, and infrastructure. Aside from the Feed Mill Plant, the project provided for the establishment of mushroom production facilities, planting of fruit and forest trees for watershed protection, distribution of livestock, extension of microfinance, and construction of farm-to-market roads. Also the US$ 9.5-Million Phase 2 project is currently being developed and expected to start by 2018.

In his message, Minister Counsellor KYUN Jong-Ho highlighted that the project is a

symbol of Korea’s strong commitment in helping the Philippines achieve its development objectives. He noted that this project could serve as an impetus for the social and economic development of Quirino Province.

Governor Junie Cua meanwhile, encouraged the local community to support the project as it would help lift them up from poverty and hardship.

He said that the project would serve as a lasting impression and gift of Korea to the citizens of Quirino Province.

2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympics Set

The 2018 Winter Olympics are set for February 9 to 25 at PyeongChang, Korea.

This will be the second Olympic Games held in the Republic of Korea -- the first was the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Opening and closing ceremonies will be conducted at PyeongChang Olympic Stadi-

um, with a capacity for 35,000 people. The 2018 PyeongChang Olympics will be the first time for the Winter Olympics to be held in Korea. With less than six months to go until the 2018 Winter Games, preparations are well underway in the city of PyeongChang as they hope to host memorable games.

KOICA,Quirino Province Inaugurate Q-LiFE Feed Mill Plant

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Provincial Government of Quirino inaugurated the Korea-Philippines Q-LiFE Feed Mill Plant last August 26, 2017 at Brgy. Dipintin, Maddela, Quirino. The event was graced by Korean Embassy Minister Counsellor KYUN Jong-Ho, KOICA Country Director SHIN Myung Seop, and Quirino Province Governor Junie Cua. The four-ton capacity Feed Mill

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Plant will provide farmers from Quirino as well as its neighboring areas access to high quality and reasonably-priced animal feeds. It is envisioned to help increase the income of farmers and improve the productivity of livestock. The Feed Mill Plant is part of the 5-Million USD Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project (QIADP) which began in 2014.

The QIADP is a comprehensive rural development project which involves Korean grant

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President Moon Jae-in visits Manila

(President MOON Jae-In. Photo from KoreaNet)

Korean President MOON Jaein visited the Philippines on November 2017 for the ASEAN Plus Three Summit.

President MOON traveled first to Jakarta, Indonesia on Nov 8, to meet President Joko Widodo and move to Danang, Vietnam on Nov 10 for the APEAC summit. His final stop was in Manila on Nov 12, to attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit.

This is President MOON’s first trip to South-East Asia as Republic of Korea’s President since he took office in May 2017.

The Korean government continues to make its best efforts to

resolve the North Korean nuclear issues by applying maximum engagement and peace talks. It will spare no efforts to improve inter-Korean relations through various initiatives, such as humanitarian assistance, military talks, etc.

One of the key features of the foreign policy of the MOON Jae-in administration is its emphasis on the value of Korea’s relationship with the ASEAN. ASEAN is Korea’s largest trade partner after China, with bilateral trade reaching $118.8 billion USD on 2016.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines celebrated its National and Armed Forces Day last October 3 at the Dusit Thani, Makati City.

In his commemorative address, Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin thank the Philippines for its stronger bilateral relationship with Korea.

He noted that newly-elected Korean President MOON JaeIn convey the new administration’s commitment to upgrade further Korea’s relationship with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries. “I firmly be-

lieve that under the leadership of President Moon and President Duterte, the Republics of Korea and the Philippines will further enhance amicable and mutually beneficial relations,” Ambassador KIM said.

“Our great partnership, born from the ashes of the Korean War, binds our nations and our people. Together, let us keep our friendship strong, through the good times and the bad. So, taking this opportunity, I would like to convey to our Filipino friends that we Koreans like the Philippines, and love the Filipinos,” added Ambassador KIM.

(Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines KIM Jae-Shin)

Korea, DepEd Start Teacher’s Training for SPFL Program 20 TEACHERS from selected public high schools in Metro Manila are currently undergoing Korean language training which started last October 6 as part of Department of Education’s (DepEd) Special Program in Foreign Language-Korea (SPFL).

The Korean government and DepEd lined up a series of capability-building activities for the 20 selected teachers to gear them on the different aspects of learning and teaching the Korean language. DepEd is implementing the program with support from Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), the Ministry of Education in Korea, and the Korean Embassy.

The first part of the program runs from October 6, 2017 to December 15, 2017 at KCC. A Korean instructor from King

Korean Embassy holds National Day Reception

Sejong Institute in Korea and KCC will teach the teachers of Korean language and Korean culture course for nine weeks.

This will be followed by an 81-hour intensive training on Korean language and teaching methods from January to March 2018.

A cultural immersion program in Korea for the selected teachers will be from April 23 to May 18. It aims to enhance the teachers’ knowledge and teaching practices by going to different universities and educational institutions in Korea Korean language as Foreign Language The Ministry of Education in Korea aims to extend Korea's educational competitiveness by facilitating mutual education cooperation with other countries. It is making efforts to integrate Korean language

courses into the local education system by partnering with local ministries of education in order to keep the interest of Korean language abroad, which has become widely popular due to the Korean Wave.

In the Philippines, as part of the government’s efforts to equip students with additional knowledge, DepEd introduced the SPFL program in 2009 with Spanish, French and Japanese courses offered to select public high schools.

Other languages offered in the program are German and Chinese (Mandarin). Last June

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2017, DepEd and Korean Embassy formalized the inclusion of Korean language in the program through a memorandum of agreement signing.

During the ceremony Korean Ambassador KIM Jae Shin emphasized the importance cultural and educational cooperation in strengthening bilateral relationship between the two countries. “Language is very important so teaching and studying [foreign languages] in schools is very helpful to deepen the bilateral understanding between two nations,” said Ambassador KIM.

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ASEAN-Korea friendship celebrated at ‘Beyond Borders Dance Project’

(Performers of the ASEAN-Korea countries)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southeast Nations and the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year milestones, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines organized “Beyond Borders: ASEAN-Korea Dance Exchange” last October 20, 2017 at Star Theater, CCP Complex.

The entire program showcased different cultural performances from the ASEAN-Korea countries Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia. The night showcased the most spectacular manifestation of classical to neoclassical to contemporary dance, the fast-shifting movements of the performances added to the suspense and charm of the show. The event was wellattended by diplomats from Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Oman and the Philippines.

Adelina Suemith, OIC-Executive Director of NCCA, on her introduction, said that despite many differences, similarity happens during dance as it plays a radical role to show beyond traditional forms.

This event was hosted in order to break new grounds for mutual understanding and respect between different cultures, magnifying the world with new perspectives.

The event ended with each ASEAN country performers dancing to popular Filipino folk dance ‘Tinikling’. It showed how participants became one in their goal to promote the partnership between the countries. The creative director of the concert and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde also entered the stage waving and dancing together with the whole ASEAN-Korea Dance Exchange Crew. The dance project was made possible with the support of Ballet Manila through its CEO and Artistic Director Lisa MacujaElizalde.

art & culture

KCC, NCCA Partner for ‘ASEAN-Korea Graffiti Project’

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the ASEAN and the ASEAN-Korea Cultural Exchange Year, Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) are organizing the “BEYOND BORDERS: The Graffiti Art Project.”

KCC, NCCA and BAFI commissioned artists from the ASEANKorea countries to paint a mural in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City – one of the Philippines art-infused cities. It aims to celebrate friendship of ASEAN-Korea through the collaborative work and interactions of visual artists ASEAN-Korea countries.

The Graffiti Art Project is being led by its Project Director PARK YoungGyun from Korea.

According to KCC Director LEE Jincheol the project aims to represent a community effort by the ASEAN-Korea countries and to utilize cultural symbols as a way of creating an impact internally and externally to the public. “Through this mural, artists from the different ASEAN-Korea countries could share their cultural traditions and art to wider audience. It is also a good opportunity to showcase ASEAN and Korea’s stronger good ties,” said LEE. The 35 x 27.5 meter mural is located at the corner of 26th Street and 5th Ave. in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines.

(Artists and Volunteers from ASEAN-Korea countries who will participate in the mural project during the project orientation last October 16 at KCC)

Filipino, Korean Performers collaborate at 2017 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival

KCC Wraps Up Annual Korean Film Festival

Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines recently concluded its annual film festival with its final screening held last October 12 to 15 at SM City Dasmariñas.

The Film Festival went to the cities of Mandaluyong, Davao,

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Iloilo, Cebu and Pampanga before hitting its last stop, Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Korean films included in the festival were ‘How to Steal a Dog,’ ‘Twenty,’ ‘My Brilliant Life,’ ‘Very Ordinary Couple,’ and ‘King of Jokgu.’

The United Korean Community Association (UKCA) together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Embassy of the Republic of Korea and KCC organized the 26th Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival.

Held last September 9, 2017 at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City, the event was divided into two parts: The “Annual Talent Competition” and “Phil-Kor Concert.”

In his welcome remarks, Korean Ambassador KIM Jae-Shin said that the festival is a “firm indication” of the deepening relations between the Philippines and Korea. “I am optimistic that this annual event – where Filipinos and Koreans per-

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form under one roof toward the singular goal of promoting understanding – will further strengthen the bonds between the Philippines and Korea through cultural exchange,” said Ambassador KIM. Venisse Siy took home the overall grand prize at the Annual Talent Competition while Merry Mia Sinaguinan and cover dance group Array won the first places for the singing and dancing category, respectively.

To showcase the friendship between the two countries, Ballet Manila and Serotonin joined together on one stage for a collaboration performance of Arnis.