EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PH DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN APEC SOM 1 HELD IN GYEONGJU, KOREA


Top: APEC SOM Leaders during the APEC SOM Retreat in Hwangnyongwon, a famous cultural landmark in Gyeongju. Bottom: The DFA delegation during APEC SOM 1 in Gyeongju. APEC SOM Leader for the Philippines Charles C. Jose (center, 4th from left) is joined by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul (5th from left). The DFA delegation included APEC National Secretariat Director General Marcos A.S. Punsalang (3rd from right), Special Assistant Joyce Quivooij (3rd from left), Special Assistant Von Ryan Ferrera (2nd from right), Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Protocol Officer Franz Alfonso, and Ms. Alleah Gordovez.

23 February - 11 March 2025, Gyeongju - The Philippines successfully participated in the first Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM 1) and Related Meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for 2025 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

As an active member of APEC, the Philippines continues to champion initiatives that promote long-term economic growth, inclusive prosperity, and multilateral collaboration in the region. 

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul was honored to support the Philippine delegation in Gyeongju as they engaged in discussions on human resource development, telecommunications and artificial intelligence, finance, as well as economic and technical cooperation initiatives. 

Led by DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations and APEC SOM Leader Charles C. Jose, the Philippines was represented by a high-level delegation with members from various national agencies including trade, tourism, finance, customs, agriculture, ICT, and the Central Bank, among others. 

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega likewise met several members of the ROK National Assembly including Chairman Kim Seok-ki of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Unification and Yongsan Representative Kwon Young-se at the sidelines of the APEC SOM1. The Ambassador expressed the Philippines’ appreciation for the ROK government’s efforts in convening the SOM1 in Gyeongju and thanked the ROK APEC national secretariat for their support for participating economies. 

The APEC SOM 1 was also an opportunity for delegates to experience Gyeongju and the Gyeongsangbuk-do province. Often referred to as a “museum without walls”, Gyeongju is home to historical landmarks such as the Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas, and Yangdong Folk Village which have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. 

The SOM 1 meeting sets the stage for a series of APEC discussions leading up to the Ministerial Meetings and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting later this year. END. 

Other News


June 20, 2025
PHL EMBASSY AND PINOY ISKOLARS SA KOREA HOLD ROUNDTABLE ON CONCERNS OF FILIPINO SCHOLARS IN KOREA

15 June 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo), successfully held a Roundtable Discussion on the Present and Future of Filipino Scholars in South Korea on 15 June 2025 at the Sentro Rizal Hall.

Read More
June 20, 2025
PH EMBASSY MEETS KOREAN IMMIGRATION AND VISA LAWYERS’ ASSOCIATION ON LEGAL SUPPORT FOR FILIPINOS IN KOREA

Seoul, 05 June 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, met with the Immigration and Visa Lawyers’ Association of the Korean Bar Association (KBA), led by its Chairperson Atty. Jaewon Lee, at the Sentro Rizal Conference Room to explore possible partnerships in assisting foreigners on legal issues while in South Korea.

Read More
June 20, 2025
PHILIPPINES JOINS MEMBER ECONOMIES AT THE 2025 APEC SECOND SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING AND RELATED MEETINGS IN JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

16 June 2025, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in the Republic of Korea participated in the Second Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in Jeju from 3 to 16 May 2025.

Read More