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

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Korea Bulletin 1

From the Ambassador’s Desk

KOREA BULLETIN

The official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea November 2011

Embassy of the Republic of Korea celebrates National Day

Ambassador Hye Min LEE stressed that the Philippines and Korea have long been enjoying strong ties since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1949, reinforced by the camaraderie on the battlefield during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The ambassador cited that the two countries are beacons of democracy in Asia and are currently making outstanding progress in trade and investment.

The ambassador added that Korea is now the fifth largest trading partner of the Philippines, the third largest source of investment and Korean companies are now actively engaging in projects under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) of the current administration.

Just recently, the Government of Korea increased its assistance to the Philippines in support of the country’s development plan.

According to the Ambassador, the airline linkage between the Philippines and Korea is a distinct indicator of the flourishing people- to-people exchanges with 700,000 Koreans visiting the country in 2010 alone.

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines was also inaugurated to further expand cultural exchange.

“Building upon the fine legacy of our partnership, I am fully confident that Korea and the Philippines will further advance the bilateral relations on the basis of shared values, mutual respect and complementarities of the two economies in the years to come.” Ambassador Hye Min LEE remarked. “As I note, the progress we have made particularly during the last 10 years is really impressive.”

In attendance were Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Frank Drilon, Secretary Albert del Rosario, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Representative of the Lone District of Quirino Dakila Carlo Cua, Gov.

Amando Tetangco Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Former Speaker Jose De Venecia and Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon.

Guests from the business sector, the media and the academe included Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President of Ayala Corporation, Mr.

Richard Lee, Chairman Emeritus of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., Mr. Felix Ang, President of CATS Motors, Inc. Mrs. Marixi Prieto, Chairman of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mrs. Lydia Yu Jose, Director of the Ateneo Center for Asian Studies, and Mr. Won Ju Lee, President of the United Korea Community Association in the Philippines.

Last October 3, top officials from the Philippine Government as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the academe, the busines sector, the Korean society and the media joined us in the celebration of the National Day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea at the new Chancery of the Korean Embassy.

The event was an auspicious occasion to celebrate Korea’s rich historical legacy after the founding of the Gojoseon dynasty more than 4,000 years ago.

As this year draws to a close, our two countries continue to witness favorable outcomes of our partnership in infrastructure. In August, the Gapan–San Fernando–Olongapo (GSO1) Road was completed, contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of the Filipino people and the growth of the local economy.

Following our two countries’ successful partnership, I am also delighted to share that our two governments signed the Arrangement on the Economic Development Cooperative Fund (EDCF) loan for the Laguindingan Airport Air-Navigation System and Support Facilities Supply Project, which will finance the installation of its Air-Navigation System and Aeronautical Ground Lighting System.

Its first phase, which is the construction of the airport terminal and runway and similarly financed by EDCF, is nearing its completion.

The entire project, which is expected to be fully operational by April 2012, will usher in development and promote tourism in North Central Mindanao.

Moreover, the opening of the KEXIM Bank Manila Office will pursue a wider range of EDCF projects in the Philippines. This recent development demonstrates the firm commitment of the Korean Government to modernize the Philippine infrastructure and to support its development plan.

In the aspect of our cultural relations, I look forward to more active exchanges between our two countries. The First Korean Day Festival celebration in Cebu will further contribute to the deepening of our friendship and greater understanding between our two peoples.

In the months to come, I am confident that we will continue to advance our bilateral relations on the basis of shared values and complementing economies.

Maraming salamat po.

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Korea Bulletin 2

KOICA inaugurates Pangasinan Rice Processing Complex

The Republic of Korea has reaffirmed its commitment in helping the Philippines achieve rice self-sufficiency during the September 5 inauguration ceremony of the $5.7 M Rice Pro- cessing Complex (RPC) in Sta.

Barbara, Pangasinan.

In his message, Korea Inter- national Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Philippine Office Res- ident Representative Mr. Jinoh KIM noted that the project aims to produce high-quality rice and reduce postharvest losses and marks the start of a new partnership in agricultural development.

“We believe that our RPC project would help achieve the vision of the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 for a competitive, sustainable and

technology-based agriculture sector that contributes to inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Moreover, the RPCs are envisaged to help improve food security, increase rural incomes, and support the attainment of the country’s goal of rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

With the completion of RPC Pangasinan, this vision could now become a reality,” he said.

Three more RPCs are presently being constructed in the major rice-producing provinces of Bohol, Iloilo and Davao del Sur as a commitment of the Ko- rean government to continue and steadily increase development assistance to the sector.

In 2006, the Korean Gov- ernment, through KOICA, es-

tablished the Korea-Philippines Modern Integrated RPC in Baler, Aurora that helped reduce postharvest losses from 15% to 8%

as targeted by the Department of Agriculture (DA). Moreover, various projects have been as- sisted by Korea ranging from

irrigation, rice production, sea- food processing, agro-industrial development, and livestock improvement.

The ceremony was also attended by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino.

PHL, ROK sign loan arrangement for

Laguindingan Airport Navigation System Project

The Philippines and the Re- public of Korea (ROK) signed a loan arrangement for the Lagu- indingan Airport Air-Navigation System and Support Facilities Supply Project last September 7 at the Department of Foreign Af- fairs (DFA).

Signing for both countries were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and ROK Ambassador to the Philippines Hye Min LEE. The event was witnessed by officials from the DFA, the Department of Trans- portation and Communications and the ROK Embassy.

The agreement will enable the Philippines to secure a loan of up to US$13,293,000 under Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), for the airport's Air Navigation Sys- tem (ANS) and support facilities.

These would include, among others, the acquisition of instru- ment landing system, Doppler VHF omnidirectional radio system, airfield lighting system, air traffic control communication system and automated weather observation system, among others. It will be implemented by the DOTC.

In his remarks, Secretary del Rosario highlighted the impor- tance of the Laguindingan Air- port in Misamis Oriental, which will serve as a major trunk line

airport for the booming Cagay- an-Iligan Corridor. The airport is expected to be completed by 2012.

"Laguindingan Airport will meet the region's growing air transportation demand, and boost economic activity not only for Region 10, but indeed, for the entire northern Mindanao," he added.

Ambassador Hye Min LEE, on the other hand, stressed that the Laguindingan Airport project will further help in the development of North Central Mindanao.

“The Laguindingan Airport will be a benchmark of our two countries’ development cooperation. I believe that the airport will be the gateway to further development of North Central Mind- anao by providing better transportation, connecting people, and promoting the local business and industry, including tourism.”

Ambassador LEE added that the Korean government is com- mitted in assisting the Philip- pines in its bid to modernize in- frastractures and supporting the development plan through the EDCF loan.

The Korean government has recently increased the EDCF loan allocation for the Philip- pines to US$500 million for the next three years from an initial US$300 million.

Signing for both countries were Ambassador Hye Min LEE and Foreign Affairs Secre- tary Albert del Rosario. Photo and story courtesy by the Department of Foreign Affairs Public Information Service Unit (DFA-PISU).

The inauguration of the Rice Processing Complex in Pangasinan was attended by (left to right) Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr., Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and KOICA Resident Representative Jinoh Kim.

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Korea Bulletin 3

Philippine and Korean Red Cross officials sign MOU

Korean Red Cross Society (KRCS) President Chong-ha Yoo (1st row, right) and Philip- pine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon sign a Memorandum of Understanding during the KRCS President’s visit to PRC recently.

The Philippine Red Cross and the Republic of Korea Na- tional Red Cross have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last August 18, paving the way for a stronger and more effective response to the growing humanitarian challenges of the time, including multi-cultural issues.

The MOU was signed by PRC Chairman Richard J. Gor- don and Korean Red Cross Pres- ident Chong Ha Yoo, who was also the Korean former Foreign Minister, during the latter’s visit to PRC recently.

The Korean Red Cross president noted that there is a growing trend in Korea for international marriages to increase especially between the Koreans and the Filipino people.

Study shows that as of 2009,

there are approximately 6,000 Filipino women married to South Koreans.

Chong Ha Yoo takes this as a welcome development consid- ering that Filipino women make

“better wives, better community leaders and better teachers com- pared to other nationals because of their natural compassion- ate and caring characters. They are also more active and better communicators”, according to Chong Ha Yoo adding, “We have no problem with them”.

However, as part of the Inter- national Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Strategy 2020

“to pursue humanitarian diplomacy to prevent and reduce vul- nerability in a globalized world”, the two Societies agreed to de- sign relevant programs and share its labor and expertise accord-

ing to their capacities so as to maximize its available services to those who are exposed to the vulnerable environment among multi-cultural families.

Gordon and Yoo expected that both Societies will promote mutual understanding on this is- sue and develop its common humanitarian goals for the international marriage families between

Korea and the Philippines. The joint approach can also bring better opportunity of partnership not only within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Move- ment but with external partners.

As a result, the humanitarian diplomacy can make a valuable achievement through humanitarian assistance between the two countries.

Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road (GSO-1) and Dredging Project inaugurated

The Department of Public Works and Highways officials, together with Ambassador Hye Min LEE and Region III’s local officials inaugurated the widening of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road (GSO-1) and emergency dredging project last August 11. The GSO-1 project was one of the infrastructure projects funded by the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) in the province of Pampanga.

“I am particularly pleased to witness another great outcome of the Korean Government’s partnership with the Philippines to con- struct valuable infrastructure in the country,” Ambassador Hye Min LEE said in his speech. “Over the years, Korea has been actively supporting the Philippine Government’s initiative to modernize the

Philippine infrastructure such as the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project and Laguindingan Airport Construction Project.”

The project is geared towards the growth and development of the Pampanga, particularly Lubao, by providing reliable access to the people and the local industry. The inauguration was attended by Former President and presently congresswoman of the third district Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Con- gressman Aurelio Gonzales, Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayors Oscar Rodriguez, Jose Maria Hizon, Mylyn Cayabyab, and Ricardo Rive- ra. Also present were DPWH Undersecretary for Official Develop- ment Assistance-funded projects Rafael Yabut and DPWH Regional Director Antonio Molano, Jr.

Korea Eximbank opens Manila Representative Office

The Korean government-run Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) opened its representative office last October 13, geared towards further strengthening the economic ties between Korea and the Philippines through importa- tion, exportation and creation of infrastructure business.

KEXIM Bank handles the Economic Development Co- operation Fund (EDCF) since where the Philippines has been a beneficiary since 1990, focusing mainly on modernizing Philip- pine infrastructure.

The Manila Representative Office aims to support Korean companies in the Philippines by encouraging foreign investment, and trade finance.

“I am confident that the opening of the KEXIM Bank will fur-

ther contribute to carrying out a wider range of EDCF projects, resulting in the infrastracture development in the Philippines.”

Ambassador Hye Min LEE said.

He added that this is an indi- cation of the growing partnership between the two countrieswith numerous infrastracture projects in the country partially funded by the EDCF.

In attendance were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Ag- riculture Secretary Proceso Al- cala, Secretary of Public Works and Highway Rogelio Singson, National Economic and De- velopment Authority (NEDA) Director-General Cayetano Pad- eranga, Jr., Senators Franklin Drilon and Edgardo Angara and KEXIM Bank President Young Hwan Kim.

DOF Sec. Cesar Purisima, Sen. Franklin Drilon, Ambassador Hye Min LEE, KEXIM Bank President Young Hwan Kim, NEDA Director-General Cayetano Paderanga, Jr., Sen. Ed- gardo Angara and DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson led the ribbon-cutting during the opening ceremony of the KEXIM Bank Manila Representative Office.

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Korea Bulletin 4

2011 Korean Filmfest expands to Cebu

The Korean Film Festival kicked off last September 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema 6.

Pictured above are (L-R) SVP for SM Cinema Mr. Edgar C. Tejerero, Korean Ambassador Hye Min LEE and SM Prime Holdings Inc. President Mr. Hans T. Sy.

MISO and Kpop group Block B perform for Filipinos

The Miso Musical tells the story of the star-crossed lovers Chunhyang and Mongryong. President Myung-bak LEE announces that Seoul will be hosting the 2012 Nuclear Secu- rity 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 Sum- mit to be held on March 26-27 in the city of Seoul. Expected attendees are 47 heads of states and three international organiza- tions namely the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Un- ion, all of which have attended the first Nuclear Security Sum- mit.

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 radio- logical safety.

The SNSS will seek con- crete measures to implement the agreements reached during the 2010 Washington NSS, expand

Seoul to host 2012 Nuclear Security Summit

the agenda to maintain the mo- mentum of Washington NSS, pursue harmony with existing nuclear-related frameworks and build nuclear security govern- ance that encompasses the aca- demia, industry and civil society.

The vision and implementa- tion measures of the Seoul Sum- mit will be outlined in the Seoul Communiqué. 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 re- garding the upcoming summit, visit www.seoulnss.go.kr.

Seven films, seven forms of love—the Korean Cultural Cent- er in the Philippines tackled just that in the recently-held Korean Film Festival at SM North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia last September 20 to 25 and in SM Cebu from September 28-October 2. Fol- lowing a huge turnout of audience at the previous film festi- vals, the Center has decided to expand the festival to reach out to a wider audience. Admission was free.

Screened were Secret Reun-

ion, Scandal Makers, A Happy Life, My Dear Enemy, Hwang Jin Yi, For Eternal Hearts and Christmas in August.

The film festival in Cebu was part of the first Korea Day Festival celebration. The festival was instituted by the local government of Cebu in recognition of the contributions of the Ko- rean nationals to the province in terms of tourism and investment.

The celebration was also aimed at enabling Cebuanos to further understand Korean culture.

The original Korean musical MISO performed for the Filipi- nos in a one-night celebration of culture, tourism and art at the SM Centerstage last September 1 together with up and coming hip-hop group Block B. The Korea Tourism Night, held in celebration of the opening of the Korean Cultural Center, featured not only the sweeping Hallyu phenomenon but also the Korean traditional culture.

MISO, meaning “Beautiful Smile,” has been showcasing beauty, charm and excitement of Korean performing arts through the story of Chunhyang and Mongryong, the Korean star- crossed lovers.

“The classic Korean tale of Chunhyang has been reinter- preted through performances in various genres.” MISO General Director Jeong Im Choi said.

“With MISO, we considered how we might be able to appeal

to modern audiences in Korea and around the world through a work that combines Korea’s traditional arts of music, song, and dance while remaining truthful to the source material.

It was first staged in 1997 and has been staged internation- ally throughout its 14-year run including the Sundown Festival in Singapore, the Japan-Korea Festival, Korea-ASEAN Com- memorative Summit.

On the other hand, Block B is a Korean hip-hop group cre- ated by Korea’s hip-hop legend Cho PD. The group consists of seven members, namely Zico, U-Kwon, P.O., Kyung, B-Bomb, Tae-il and Jaehyo.

Block B delighted fans with their hit songs like “Freeze” and

“Halo.” Together with the Miso team, they judged the Cover Dance Battle wherein the five- member group Off Limits Crew bagged the first place.