By  Jon Lee | “As we continue on the path towards lasting peace and sustainable development, Korea remains a steadfast partner with the Philippines through more than seven decades,” said Amb. Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines in Seoul on June 11.

 

Delivering toast remarks at a reception on the occasion of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence and 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea Relations held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 11, 2024, Amb. Dizon-De Vega said, “Korea is the Philippines’ 5th top trading partner, 5th export destination, 4th largest import source, 5th source for Foreign Direct Investments, our top source market for inbound tourists, and a major ODA partner.”

 

 

Noting that Korea and the Philippines have inked over 60 bilateral agreements at various levels and covering different areas of mutual interest, the most recent of which include a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, Veterans Affairs Cooperation, Social Security, Tourism Cooperation, Agriculture and Fisheries Cooperation, Open Governance, and Education, she said, “These are all concrete manifestations of our close partnership as are frequent exchanges of high-level visits.”

 

Amb. Dizon-De Vega also mentioned, “While our close relations are rooted in our shared sacrifices in the arena of war, it is also forward-looking with a common vision agreed upon and articulated by our respective leaders, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and President Yoon Suk-yol, to elevate our engagement to that of a Strategic Partnership.”

 

A large number of foreign ambassadors, senior diplomats, high-ranking Korean and foreign government officials, business leaders, and their spouses attended the event filled with great fervor and festivity.

 

 

Among the VIP guests at the reception were Kim Hong Kyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Chring Botumrangsay of Cambodia, Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus and Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of Azerbaijan.

 

In congratulatory remarks, Kim Hong Kyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The Philippine government is now promoting various infrastructure projects under the “Build, Better and More” initiative. Among others, the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project is expected to be a landmark initiative in enhancing the Philippines’ connectivity.”

 

“Related to this,” Vice Minister Kim said, “I look forward to Korean companies playing a crucial part in the project. If so, it will be another success story of our collaboration.”

 

Commenting that the defense industry is a promising new area for collaboration between Korea and the Philippines, Kim said, “Korea is expanding cooperation into maritime security and safety with the Philippines by launching the bilateral maritime dialogue. We trust that Korea can continue to contribute to the Philippines' efforts for military modernization, particularly through submarines, frigates, and fighter jets.”

 

 

The following is the full-text of toast remarks by H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines.

HE Kim Hong Kyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps  
Honored guests from the governments of the Philippines and Korea 
Esteemed friends of the Philippines 
Ladies and Gentlemen  
Mabuhay. Annyeong Hashimnikka. Thank you to all our dear guests for gracing this event with your presence. 

Today we are celebrating two milestones - our 126th year as an independent nation and 75 years of deep and abiding friendship between the Philippines and Korea forged when the Philippines became the fifth country in the world and the first in ASEAN to establish diplomatic ties with the Republic of Korea.  

The Philippines is considered Asia’s first constitutional republic. Our forebears managed to put together a Constitution, approved by a national congress and established a state with a division of powers into three separate branches. It paved the way for a tragically short-lived nation-state that was popular, representative, and responsible. However brief, this taste of freedom provided ballast for future struggles, strengthened the Filipinos’ capacity for nation-building, and the eventual attainment of the blessings of independence.  

 

 

It is likewise the bedrock of the values which we share with Korea and other countries - democracy, respect for human rights, and a rules-based international order. They are the same core values which prompted the Philippines to fight shoulder to shoulder with Korea and other countries in defense of freedom on the Korean Peninsula and which inform our steadfast position on the primacy of the rule of law in international engagement and a longstanding commitment to multilateralism. These serve as guideposts for our country up to the present as we work with Korea and other partners in peace-building and ensuring prosperity through dialogue and constructive engagement.  

These values evolve with the challenges and opportunities of our times. And so it is with the Philippines, as we likewise embrace the values of inclusion, multiculturalism, sustainability, and concern for vulnerable sectors whether in our own country or globally.  

As we continue on the path towards lasting peace and sustainable development, Korea remains a steadfast partner through more than seven decades.  It is always tempting on occasions such as this to make an inventory of milestones in our relations and I will endeavor to mention those of particular note - Korea is the Philippines’ 5th top trading partner, 5th export destination, 4th largest import source, 5th source for Foreign Direct Investments, our top source market for inbound tourists, and a major ODA partner. We have inked over 60 bilateral agreements at various levels and covering different areas of mutual interest the most recent of which include a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, Veterans Affairs Cooperation, Social Security, Tourism Cooperation, Agriculture and Fisheries Cooperation, Open Governance, and Education.  

 

 

These are all concrete manifestations of our close partnership as are frequent exchanges of high-level visits. In the first half of this year Philippine Tourism, Agriculture, Health, and ICT Ministers, parliamentary, local government, and other delegations have undertaken official missions to Korea with other visits on the horizon. By the same token our counterparts in the Philippine are likewise busy with a steady stream of delegations from Korea.  

While our close relations are rooted in our shared sacrifices in the arena of war, it is also forward-looking with a common vision agreed upon and articulated by our respective leaders, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and President Yoon Seok Yul, to elevate our engagement to that of a Strategic Partnership.  

We continue to strengthen existing and build new platforms for cooperation in areas such as maritime cooperation, science and technology, green pathways, creative industries, energy, labor and migration, and people-to-people engagement. We are optimizing opportunities for greater synergies with Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Korea ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, participation in RCEP, IPEF, and within the framework of the ASEAN Korea Dialogue Partnership now on its 35th year.  

 

 

Our engagement with Korea and with other nations will always be conducted as a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and a committed peacemaker as we seek to once again work with the family of nations in the UN Security Council. 

Tonight, to honor your presence we will share some of the things perhaps most people know of our country and people: music with a performance from the MEN Ensemble of the renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, our diverse cuisine, breath-taking sights, and the chance for some you to visit these, and our warmth and hospitality exemplified by the more than 60,000 of our nationals who presently live in Korea.  

Our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once said, “He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.” Thus, we move forward with an eye on the future and informed by our historic past. 

 

 

May I now ask you to join me in a toast to 126 years of the Philippine Republic, 75 years of Philippines-Korea relations and to our enduring friendship! Cheers! Mabuhay. 

Kamsahamnida. Salamat. 

 

The following is the full-text of congratulatory remarks by Kim Hong Kyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea.

 

It is a great pleasure to join you all in celebrating the 126th Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines. On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Korea, let me extend my warmest congratulations to the people and the government of the Philippines. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ambassador De Vega for your invaluable contributions to fostering closer ties between our two countries. 

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests, This year holds special significance as our two nations commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 75 years ago, Korea established diplomatic ties with the Philippines, marking its first forging of ties with an ASEAN country. 

During the Korean War, the Philippines sent 7,420 soldiers, the largest number of troops from any Asian country. We Koreans will never forget their sacrifices.  

Our bilateral relations, rooted in such solidarity and kinship, have flourished for over seven decades.  As we celebrate this Diamond Jubilee, the relationship between Korea and the Philippines has reached a moment as brilliant as a glistening diamond. Let me highlight some key achievements in our 75-year journey: 

First, the FTA between the two countries was signed last year. With $13.6 billion in trade last year, the FTA’s entry into force will significantly boost trade and investment, building on the RCEP and Korea-ASEAN FTA. 

Recently, Korean companies announced a huge investment plan in the shipyard in Subic and the international airport in Manila.  

As President Marcos Jr. emphasized, such investment is a testament to the strong and enduring relationship between our two countries. 

The Philippine government is now promoting various infrastructure projects under the “Build, Better and More” initiative. 

Among others, the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project is expected to be a landmark initiative in enhancing the Philippines’ connectivity. 

I look forward to Korean companies playing a crucial part in the project. If so, it will be another success story of our collaboration.  

Second, the defense industry is a promising new area for collaboration. At this year's Exercise Balikatan, BRP Jose Rizal the lead ship of the Philippine Navy built by a Korean company, demonstrated its capability as a core naval asset.  

Korea is also expanding cooperation into maritime security and safety with the Philippines by launching the bilateral maritime dialogue.  

We trust that Korea can continue to contribute to the Philippines' efforts for military modernization, particularly through submarines, frigates, and fighter jets.  

Third, development cooperation is evolving beyond infrastructure, health, and sanitation, into new areas like digital transformation.  

Initiatives aimed at enhancing the capability to respond cyber threats and supporting digitalization of public services will continue to expand, becoming another significant aspect of Korea’s development cooperation with the Philippines. 

For instance, one of the key projects launched last year involves establishing an advanced integrated system for investigating and managing crime information.  This initiative will contribute to enhancing crime prevention and promoting security. 

Fourth, our people-to-people exchanges continue to grow.  Last year, over 1.4 million Koreans visited the Philippines, making them the largest group of foreign visitors. About 90,000 Koreans and Filipinos residing in each other's countries are fostering deeper friendship between our people. 

Additionally, the Agreement on Social Security between the ROK and the Philippines, effective this April, marks a milestone in our labor cooperation, enhancing social security benefits for our dispatched workers.  

Distinguished Guests, 
Building on these achievements, we look forward to elevating our relations to a Strategic Partnership, as our two leaders committed to during the last two summits. 

The upgrading of our bilateral and multilateral relations will create a great synergy at this opportune juncture. 
In closing, I wish to quote a line from a poem by Dr. José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines. From the poem “My Last Farewell”, he said, "I die just when I see the dawn break, Through the gloom of night, to herald the day." 

That day finally arrived for the Philippines 126 years ago. Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on Independence Day. On this auspicious occasion, I am delighted to invite you all for a toast to the enduring bonds of friendship between our two nations.