Three weeks after assumption to duty, Philippine Consul General Sylvia M. Marasigan called on her Korean counterparts from the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) and the Multicultural Affairs Office of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs to establish linkages.

On April 22, Consul General Marasigan visited the Office of the International Cooperation Team of the Korean Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice being headed by Director Jang, Se-Keun and discussed the problems facing Filipina divorcees, inter alia, their expiring visas and inquired on the right course of action on such cases.

Director Jang advised that the Embassy write the local immigration offices having jurisdiction over the subject individuals and then request an extension of validity of their Certificate of Alien Registration card. Difficult cases, however, may be referred to Director Jang’s Office for adjudication. Deputy Director Jung, Su-Dong gave the Consul General a parting assurance to the effect that they will accept referrals from the Embassy via fax.

Her second stop, on April 24, was at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs where she met with Director Lee, Min Won, Ph.D., Multicultural Family Division. Consul General Marasigan apprised Dir. Min of the challenges experienced by Filipina spouses of Korean nationals stemming mostly from cultural differences.

Consul General Marasigan also noted that the Embassy has received some reports of domestic violence against Filipina spouses, and thanked the Korean government for its efforts to address this and other cross-cultural issues. The Korean government has among other initiatives established migrant centers in various places in Korea under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.

The Consul General also broached with Director Min a project of the Philippine Embassy still on the drawing board to put up children’s centers and hold kindergarten classes in strategic places to service the need of children of Filipino descent. In response, Director Min suggested putting one up within the Dongjak-Gu and Dongdaemon-Gu areas where many Filipino expatriates are known to have set up temporary residences.

The two lady executives agreed to meet again to discuss the details of the project after the location of the proposed centers have been determined and the mechanics of operation laid down.