Korea Bulletin 1
KOREA BULLETIN
The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea January 2011
From the Ambassador’s Desk
Greetings! It is my honor and privi- lege to address the readers of the Ko- rea Bulletin a happy new year.
During the past years, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea has wit- nessed the warm reception of Fili- pinos to Korean cultural events and activities. The Government of Korea aims to pursue this further as it be- lieves that a healthy understanding between two cultures is the basis of a strong bilateral relationship.
Thus, the Embassy will be launching the Korean Cul- tural Center in Manila in May of this year. Through its multi-media library, language and other lessons on Ko- rean culture, the Center will nurture the popularity of the Korean culture here, and foster more cultural exchanges between our two countries.
This year, I also expect the continuation of favorable bilateral ties between the Philippines and Korea. Trade and investment flows as well as political relations and development assistance between our two countries will continue to advance. As the Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines, I personally guarantee that the conditions for Filipino-Korea people-to-people exchanges will con- tinue to favorably develop.
Again, may the year 2011 bring us all newfound energy and dynamism! Happy new year!
Secretary Alberto Romulo makes an Official Visit to the Republic of Korea
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo flew to Seoul last January 9 for a three-day official visit as per the invitation of the Republic of Korea. President Lee Myung-bak received Sec. Romulo at the Blue House on the second day of his visit, expressing the desire of the Korean government to work hand in hand with the Philippine government.
Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan had an in-depth meeting with Sec. Romulo to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussion mainly focused on major issues such as cooperation in economy and trade, energy, resources and the current situation on Korean peninsula.
Minister Kim noted that the Korea-Philippines economic cooperation is expected to exceed US$10 billion mark this year, with Sec. Romulo expressing gratitude for the contri- butions of the Korean government to the Philippines. Also, Sec. Romulo requested Minister Kim for the Korean Govern- ment’s active participation in the Philippines’ mid-term eco- nomic development plan as well as in the development of ag- riculture and defense infrastructure.
Minister Kim, on the other hand, asked the Philippine gov- ernment to play a pivotal role in future discussions on North Korea-related issues, following the issuance of a statement by the Philippines condemning the Yeonpyeong bombing.
Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan greets Foreign Affairs Secre- tary Alberto Romulo during the latter’s three-day visit to Seoul.
CONTENTS
1
Secretary Alberto Romulo makes a three-day official visit to the Republic of Korea2
President Aquino graces naming of Adani ships at the Hanjin Shipyard in SubicEmbassy of the Republic of Korea celebrates National Day
3
‘Mashitta Masarap’ ends on a high note A screamfest treat for Halloween4
Korea, Philippines to further partnership with agro- industrial programKorea to build US$7.5 million training center in Fort Bonifacio
Korean Cultural Center to open in May
This is a publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Phil- ippines. News releases in this section were prepared and published by the staff of the Embassy, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Ko- rea EXIM/Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), unless otherwise indicated.
For inquiries, suggestions or clarifications, please contact:
Cultural and Public Relations Section The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Taguig
Tel (632)856-9210 Fax (632) 856-9019
Korea Bulletin 2
President Aquino graces naming of two Adani ships in Subic
Joining President Benigno S. Aquino III during the ship naming were (second from right) H.E. Hye Min LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and H.E. Shri Yogendra Kumar, Ambassador of Republic of India with the officials of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Adani Group.
President Benigno S. Aqui- no III attended the naming of M/V “Vanshi” and M/V
“Rahi” at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Shipyard in Subic Bay Freeport Zone last Janu- ary 6. Joining him were H.E.
Hye Min LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, and Shri Yo- gendra Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, as well as Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary of the Department of Energy.
The two ships, delivered to Adani Shipping Pte. Ltd., were named after the daugh- ters of the owner of Adani and was built by the Korean shipbuilding company Hanjin Heavy Industries Corpora- tion. Both vessels have a dead weight of 175,000 metric ton.
The ships measured 289 meters in total length, with a registered length is 279.98 meter.
In his speech, President Aquino thanked the Republic of Korea for its support to the Philippine economy by pro- viding more jobs to the Fili-
pinos.
“You have granted a life- line to many of my country- men who have teetered on the
edge of poverty, and it has a ripple effect on their families and communities.” President Aquino said, stressing the
importance of the strong bi- lateral relations between the two countries, forged in the battlefields sixty years before.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea celebrates National Day
Ambassador Hye Min LEE and spouse Madam Sun Mi Kim are joined by Former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The Embassy of the Re- public of Korea in the Philip- pines celebrated its National Day and Armed Forces Day last December 14, 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philip- pines.
Highlighting the event was the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea, one of Korea’s best cultural and peace ambassadors. The Lit- tle Angels performed Korean traditional dances and songs as a tribute to the Korean War veterans and as a symbol of gratitude for the assistance the Philippines had extended to the Republic of Korea dur- ing the Korean War.
“This year, 2010, is a his- toric year in our diplomatic relations as we commemorate the 60th year of the participa- tion of the Filipino soldiers in the Korean War.” H.E. Hye
Min LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Phil- ippines, said in his welcome speech.
The PEFTOK, a 7,420-man strong combat troop, was sent to the Republic of Ko- rea in August 1950 under the UN command to defend the South from the invasions of the North.
The Korean War celebration was made doubly meaningful as the Little Angels made the Philippines their last stop af- ter a 15-nation tour.
The event was graced by Former President Fidel V. Ra- mos, a Korean War veteran, Secretary Alberto Romulo, DFA, Senator Edgardo Ang- ara, Senator Franklin Drilon, Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and other dignitaries from diplomatic corps.
Korea Bulletin 3
‘Mashitta Masarap’
ends on a high note
Running for 11 weeks, the Korean Cooking Show ‘Mashitta Masarap’ introduced the rudiments of cooking Korean Food to its Filipino audience. This is a testament to the ever-grow- ing popularity of Korean Culture in the Philippines. The show has ended its run last January 29 with a special re-run of the first episode.
Conceptualized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, the 30-minute show aired over Studio 23 at 11 to 11:30 am featured the various aspects of Korean food, such as the Special Day food, prepared only during occasions such as weddings and birthdays; Royal Cuisine food, which high- lighted the finest regional specialties and delicacies; home cooked food for everyday meals and party food, cooked only during special national occasions and holidays.
The chef, Sekyung An, is a top Korean chef who studied at the Culinary Institute of America. Managing her own cook- ing studio “Plaisir Gourmand”, Ms. An is teaching Korean and western cuisine to Koreans and foreigners.
Mashitta was hosted by Hyubs Azarcon, and directed by Earl Ignacio with featured guests Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Hye Min LEE and his spouse, Madame Sun Mi Kim, as well as Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and spouse Au- drey Tan-Zubiri, Congressman Junie Cua of Quirino Province and Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Hon. Berna- dette Romulo-Puyat.
“Mashitta Masarap”
guests included H.E. Hye Min LEE and his spouse, Ma- dame Sun Mi Kim as well as Senator Juan Miguel Zu- biri and his spouse, Audrey Tan-Zubiri.
Also included in the guest list is Hon.
Bernadette Romulo- Puyat, Undersecre- tary of the Depart- ment of Agriculture.
A screamfest treat for the halloween
Film aficionados were treated to a screamfest during the an- nual Korean Film Festival held last October 26 to November 4 at the Shang Cineplex in Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong.
Sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the film festival featured seven of the most popular horror films in Ko- rea just in time for the Halloween season.
“We showcase our culture and way of life through our mov- ies and TV dramas so we would like the Filipinos to appreci- ate our sense of art and style.” The Embassy said in a state- ment.
Seven films were screened during the stretch of nine days, which included Arang, the Red Shoes, M, Ghost, Hansel and Gretel, Paradise Murdered, and Epitaph.
Epitaph, the movie chosen to be screened on the opening night, was nominated in the 2008 Asian Film Awards and was described by critic James Mudge as a visual treat.
“The film is never less than convincing, successfully evoking the time through high production values and a telling atten- tion to detail.“ He wrote.
The Korean horror genre has demonstrated significant de- velopment when it comes to the quality of the films in terms of cinematography, visual and sound effects and editing.
Korea Bulletin 4
Korea, Philippines to further partner- ship with agro-industrial program
The Republic of Korea re- affirmed its commitment to funding aid programs in the Philippines by conducting the Korea-Philippines Develop- ment Cooperation Forum on the Multi-Industry Cluster (MIC) project in Seoul last November 2010.
The MIC is an investment program that aims to pro- mote agro-industrial develop- ment by conducting feasibil- ity studies for projects to be funded through grants, loans or private sector investments.
Among the issues discussed during the said forum was Korea’s experience and strat- egies for the establishment of Agro-industry clusters in the Philippines.
The MIC, which supports projects focusing on increas- ing productivity, infrastruc-
ture development and estab- lishment of manufacturing industries, was conceptual- ized as a way of sharing Ko- rean technology to the Philip- pines.
The MIC will be implement- ed in key provinces including Isabela, Quirino and Misamis Oriental.
Deputy Director-General Rolando G. Tungpalan of the
National Economic and De- velopment Authority (NEDA) said that the establishment of the MIC in the country sup- ports the emerging priorities of the upcoming Medium- Term Philippine Develop- ment Plan (MTPDP).
Tungpalan said that the MIC strategies would support the attainment of medium- term targets, particularly in modernizing agriculture and fisheries and in developing a comprehensive industry and services sector.
More than 230 officials of both governments, represen- tatives of the private sector and the academe participated in the said Forum. The Phil- ippine delegation was led by Senators Edgardo Angara and Miguel Zubiri.
Korea to build US$7.5 million training center in Fort Bonifacio
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed an agreement with TESDA and the Department of National Defense for the construction of a Human Re- souce Development Train- ing Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last October 2010.
The facility aims to enhance job opportunities for Filipinos by offering various technical/
vocational courses.
Under the agreement, the South Korean government will provide a US$7.5 million (about PhP330 million) grant to cover the construction of a four-storey training center at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, provide equipment, dispatch Korean experts to the Philip- pines, and train Filipino offi- cials and staff in Korea.
KOICA Vice President Dongwon Ahn, who signed the Record of Discussions (ROD) on behalf of Korea, said that the HRD center further proves KOICA’s firm commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Filipinos through technical/
vocational education.
“How did Korea progress from being a very poor coun- try to a member of the exclu-
sive OECD-DAC in less than sixty years? The answer is quite complex, but if there’s one thing that we did that made a very big impact, it’s investing in our human re- sources. The HRD Center that will rise in Fort Bonifa- cio is our way of helping rep- licate our success in human resource development in the Philippines,” Ahn said.
He added that the center will also serve as a memorial for the Filipinos that fought alongside South Korea dur- ing the Korean War some 60 years ago.
“The Philippines sent the largest Asian contingent dur- ing the war, and we are for- ever grateful for your help.
This is our own little way of helping an old friend face its challenges as well,” Ahn ex- plained.
Upon its completion in 2014, the Taguig HRD center will be the third training cen- ter built by KOICA in the Phil- ippines. In 2003, KOICA pro- vided a US$10 million grant to construct a Vocational Training Center in Davao City and an IT Training Center in Quezon City. Both centers were opened in 2005.
Korean Cultural Center opens in May
From the Filipinos’ grow- ing interest in the Korean culture stems a great oppor- tunity for strengthening the cultural relations between the two countries. On May of this year, the Korean Cul- tural Center will finally open its doors to the public. With 16 other offices around the world, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines will operate under the su- pervision of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
Located at the 2nd floor of the ManCor Corporate
Center at 32nd St., Bonifa- cio Global City, the Korean Cultural Center is strategi- cally located at the heart of a highly developed area sur- rounded by different foreign and local institutions.
KCC aspires to provide an interactive space for Filipi- nos who want to learn more about the Korean culture which will include a gallery for exhibits, library, and several rooms for lectures, workshops, meetings, film viewing, presentations and events.
