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SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

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Amb. Cruz Discusses Immigration Matters with Korean Justice Minister


With the impending crackdown on illegal workers in South Korea, Philippine Ambassador Luis T. Cruz discussed the possibility of allowing amnesty for unregistered foreigners during a conversation with Justice Minister Kyung-han Kim before the opening ceremony of the “Together Day” on 20 May at the Seoul Olympic Parktel.

The Ministry of Justice currently allows “irregular” foreigners who have overstayed in South Korea for less than one year to voluntarily depart without their names being placed in the blacklist after paying the penalty fees, according to Mr. Kyu-ho Choo, Commissioner of Korea Immigration Service. As to the suggestion of Ambassador Cruz to accord the same condition of “no blacklisting” for voluntary leavers who had overstayed for more than a year, Mr. Choo said that they would study the proposal. The South Korean Government has reportedly fixed a quota of 9,000 for the number of people the Korean Immigration must arrest by July.

Amb. Cruz reiterates the reminder of the Philippine Embassy to all Filipinos in South Korea to abide by local regulations.

Tuesday’s first-ever “Together Day” was designated by the “Act on the Treatment of Foreigners Residing in Korea,” a law recently enacted by the National Assembly in order to assist foreigners adapt to Korean society and promote mutual awareness of history and culture.

Other News


June 12, 2026
PHILIPPINES AND KOREA FOSTER ENDURING FRIENDSHIP THROUGH ARTISTIC COLLABORATION

Seoul, 3 – 8 June 2026 – In celebration of the 128th anniversary of the commemoration of Philippine Independence and the 77th year of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in partnership with Grida K Pop Art Inc. led by its Founder, Ms. Hee Jung “Julie” Kim, organized a series of simultaneous art exhibitions in Jung-gu, Insa-dong, and Gangnam, showcasing the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Korea through artistic expression.

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June 12, 2026
PHILIPPINES SPOTLIGHTS PRISTINE NATURAL WONDERS AT SEOUL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR

Seoul, 04 June 2026 – The Tourism Promotions Board - Philippines (TPB PHL) and the Philippine Department of Tourism-Korea Office (PDOT-Korea) led the Philippines participation in the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) held from 4-7 June 2026 at the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) Seoul, Republic of Korea. DOT in partnership with Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Radisson Hotel Group, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark, Marriott International Philippines, Nustar Resort & Casino, and Pinatubo Mountainero Travel and Tours mounted the Philippine booth at the 41st SITF showcasing the Philippines dynamic culture, pristine nature, and premium resort destinations to domestic travelers and industry professionals. In addition, the Puerto Princesa City Government conducted a product presentation promoting Palawan to Korean travelers. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez attended the opening ceremony of the 41st SITF on 04 June 2026. Ambassador Fernandez visited the Philippine booth and expressed the Embassy’s full support to the Philippine delegation emphasizing that “The event serves as a meaningful opportunity to directly showcase the diverse and rich charms of the Philippines to Korean travelers, with whom the Philippines has maintained a close and long-standing partnership.” The Philippine pavilion drew crowd attention as participating companies hosted special presentations with highly coveted prizes including complimentary luxury hotel accommodation vouchers and round-trip airline tickets given to lucky winners. Since 1986, the SITF has grown into Korea’s leading international travel fair, becoming an important avenue for exchange and cooperation within the global tourism industry. Along with Korea’s regional destinations, there are over 300 organizations and businesses from 40 countries participating at this year’s edition of the SITF. For the Philippines, the ROK remains as one of the most vital and valued tourism markets and its participation in major travel and tourism exhibitions such as the SITF will further intensify initiatives to attract Korean travelers to visit the Philippines. END

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June 11, 2026
MWO-OWWA HOLDS ON-THE-SPOT SLOGAN AND POSTER MAKING CONTESTS FOR 31ST MIGRANT WORKERS DAY

Seoul, 7 June 2026 - As part of the pre-celebration activities for the 31st Migrant Workers Day, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), successfully conducted the On-the-Spot Slogan Making Contest and On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest on 7 June 2026 at Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy in Seoul. Six participants competed in the slogan-making contest, while ten participants showcased their artistic talents in the poster-making contest. The contestants consisted of EPS Workers, Caregivers, and Professors all coming from different parts of Korea like Seoul, Gimpo, Hwaseong, Ansan, and Paju. The program also featured the special Migrant Workers Day messages of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, who recognized the invaluable contributions of OFWs and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare and protection.

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