26 January 2026, Seoul–Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez received Mr. Sang-soo Jun, the Republic of Korea’s Candidate for Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in a courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 26 January 2026. During the meeting, Mr. Jun shared his vision for a more inclusive and future-ready IPU, underscoring the importance of parliamentary cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, gender equality, good governance, and responsible fiscal management. He likewise highlighted the role of digital innovation, including e-parliament and AI-enabled parliamentary systems, in strengthening democratic institutions, particularly in developing countries.

Ambassador Fernandez welcomed Mr. Jun’s engagement and reaffirmed the Philippines’ continued support for the IPU as a vital platform for bilateral and multilateral parliamentary dialogue. She underscored the Philippines’ interest in initiatives that promote inclusive governance, ethical use of emerging technologies, and capacity-building for parliaments, especially within ASEAN and the Global South. Mr. Jun was accompanied by his wife, Ms. Lee Eun-mee, who serves as Director for Budget Management at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. END