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.

The meeting highlighted the role of the KBA as the sole professional body authorized to provide legal guidance on immigration and visa-related matters in Korea. Atty. Lee also presented the KBA’s newly launched website (https://koreanbar.or.kr/pages/association/immigration/reference.asp), which provides information on Korean lawyers qualified to assist foreign clients by region and area of specialization. 

The discussion also explored the possibility of the KBA issuing formal Certifications on Korean family laws, particularly divorce, which may be required by Philippine courts for the recognition of foreign divorce decrees. The KBA expressed openness to this option to help address concerns of Overseas Filipinos, and further conveyed its willingness to collaborate with the Embassy as a resource partner for future webinars and legal information sessions for the Filipino community.

Also in attendance during the meeting are Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Welfare Officer Cornelia DG. Chanco, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and MWO representative Apolonio Alvarez.

The Philippine Embassy will continue to engage with the KBA and explore further avenues for cooperation in support of the rights and welfare of Filipino nationals in Korea. END