Seoul 14 February. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul announced the approval of US$4.5 million operational budget of the ASEAN-Korea Center on 10 February. Now on its fourth year of operation, the Center has become ASEAN’s face in South Korea. It has completed 23 programs last year in the areas of trade, investment, culture and tourism promotion and public relations and information campaign.

In a report to the Department, Ambassador to Seoul Luis T. Cruz said that three years after the creation of the AKC, awareness about ASEAN has substantially increased in South Korea, not only among students but also among Korean businessmen and the general public. It has also opened opportunities for Filipino artists to showcase their talents through AKC programs. It is also significant to note that last year’s AKC sponsorship of the 17-man Korean trade mission to CITEM’s Manila F.A.M.E. International Exhibition netted total sales of USD915,483.00, which is a 1,036 per cent increase over the previous sales order of USD80,562.00 from South Korea. Bulk orders came mostly from Lotte Mart, the owner of the high-end chain of Korean department stores. end