EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PH AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY FORWARD ON STRENGTHENED PH-ROK ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH ROK MINISTER OF TRADE AHN DUKGEUN


22 September 2023, Seoul-Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with ROK Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun on 22 September 2023 to discuss strengthened PH-ROK Economic Cooperation and the next steps following the historic signing of the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit 2023 held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ambassador De Vega conveyed that the Philippines shares the Republic of Korea's excitement and sense of accomplishment on the signing of a dynamic and modern free trade agreement, the Philippines' first bilateral FTA in 17 years. Ambassador De Vega provided updates on the processes currently being undertaken by the Philippine government for the agreement's eventual entry into force. She thanked Minister Ahn and the ROK government for their help in moving the agreement forward and underscored that its timely signing is proof of strong PH-ROK relations. Ambassador De Vega also noted the importance of working together to engage the public and relevant stakeholders, including industry leaders, in promoting the incentives of the newly signed PH-ROK FTA.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn both believe in the importance of building the industry ecosystem together and likewise discussed ways the Philippines and ROK can strengthen trade, digital, green, energy, official development assistance, and infrastructure partnerships. Ambassador De Vega also highlighted that the FTA is also a valuable platform to strengthen PH-ROK cooperation in the creative industry aside from traditional areas of cooperation. Both sides also exchanged updates on PH and ROK's planned improvements in people mobility, sustainable transportation, and the digitalization of public records. The PH-ROK FTA signifies our shared commitment to shared values of prosperity and aspirations in advancing digital technology and the green economy.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn pledged to continue working together on the PH-ROK FTA and other areas of mutual concern to further strengthen the PH-ROK economic partnership.

image.png 2.54 MB

Other News


January 29, 2026
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL JOINS 44TH INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY

23 January 2026, Seoul–Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez joined Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Myeong-ku Lee, senior officials, and members of the diplomatic corps in celebrating the 44th International Customs Day on 23 January 2026 at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam. The event underscored the vital role of customs in securing and facilitating global trade—a field of growing cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. In his address, Commissioner Lee highlighted that modern customs go beyond processing goods, serving as a critical function for trade facilitation, supply chain security, and public safety. He also noted KCS’s use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve efficiency, inspections, and risk response. These initiatives align with the Philippines’ customs reform efforts and ongoing collaboration with the KCS, including information exchange, capacity-building, and technical cooperation to strengthen enforcement, risk management, and trade facilitation. END

Read More
January 28, 2026
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL EXPLORES COLLABORATION WITH EAAFP ON MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

25 January 2026, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section met with Ms. Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat on 21 January 2026. Ms. George was accompanied by Ms. Jisun Lee, Foundation Officer and Ms. Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, Program Officer of EAAFP.Ambassador Fernandez highlighted the strong complementarities between the conservation of migratory birds and the promotion of sustainable tourism, noting that many key bird migration areas in the Philippines overlap with the country’s prime tourism destinations. Advancing regional cooperation for migratory bird protection would likewise help raise awareness of the Philippines’ wetlands and coastal ecosystems. The Ambassador further emphasized the importance of integrating tourism and cultural dimensions into this undertaking, citing Philippine dances inspired by bird movements as expressions of the country’s deep cultural connection to nature.Ms. George conveyed that the EAAFP is an active partnership of 22 countries and 18 partners working together to conserve migratory waterbirds, their habitat and the livelihoods of people who depend on them.  Building on the success of the EAAFP’s 12th Meeting of Partners (MOP12) in Cebu City, Philippines from 14 to 18 November 2025, EAAFP and Embassy officials had a productive discussion on further exploring areas of collaboration on conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitat.  The Philippines remains an important flyway for migratory birds with seven (7) designated Flyway Site Networks in the country, including the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Lake Mainit, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary and Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve. END

Read More
January 28, 2026
PHILIPPINES SEEKS EL SALVADOR SUPPORT FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL CANDIDATURE

20 January 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to the ROK Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez paid a courtesy call on H.E. Federico Miguel Guerrero Avendaño, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to the Republic of Korea, reaffirming the warm and friendly relations between the Philippines and El Salvador. 

Read More