EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES


SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR AND KOREA MINISTER AGREE TO FORTIFY TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION


Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation (MOLIT) H.E. Park Sang-woo met to discuss transportation and infrastructure cooperation on 21 March 2025.

21 March 2025, Seoul – Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega assured Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation (MOLIT) H.E. Park Sang-woo of the Philippine commitment to fortifying transportation and infrastructure cooperation with the Republic of Korea through transformative projects that will improve connectivity in the Philippines, elevate the living standards of residents, and boost priority industries such as trade and tourism. 

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea are partners in numerous transportation and infrastructure projects including the North-South Commuter Railway, the MRT Line 7 project, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport rehabilitation, the Laguna Lakeshore Network Project, and the Bridges program of the Philippines including the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge. 

To further bolster PH-ROK partnership in transportation and infrastructure, Minister Park and Ambassador Dizon-De Vega agreed on the importance of exploring advancements, and opportunities in technology including in areas such as mechanical systems, engineering, and railways where the ROK is at the forefront. The Panguil Bay Bridge in Northern Mindanao, a flagship accomplishment completed through PH-ROK official development cooperation has won the prestigious Grand Prize at the Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineering’s (KIBSE) 2024 Excellent Structure Awards. 

Minister Park also encouraged the Philippines to leverage official development assistance funding made available by the Republic of Korea through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). 

Both sides also looked forward to continuing high-level exchanges on transportation and infrastructure to strengthen the partnership. The Republic of Korea is a key partner of the Philippines on projects requiring official development assistance under the Philippines’ Build Better More program.  

Ambassador Dizon De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. ROK Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs Nam Youngwoo, Construction Policy Bureau and Overseas Development Team Director Hwang Se-eun, and Policy Advisor to the Minister Myung Gu Jin. END 

Top: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and MOLIT Minister Park Sang-woo discuss PH-ROK cooperation on transportation and infrastructure. Ambassador Dizon De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs Nam Youngwoo, Construction Policy Bureau and Overseas Development Team Director Hwang Se-eun, and Policy Advisor to the Minister Myung Gu Jin. Bottom: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega handed over a letter addressed to the MOLIT Minister from Philippine Secretary of Transportation Vivencio Dizon.


Other News


January 28, 2026
PHILIPPINES, PARAGUAY AFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEEPEN BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

Seoul, Republic of Korea – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez called on Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to the Philippines H.E. Miguel Angel Ubaldino Romero Alvarez on 28 January 2026 at the Paraguay Embassy in Seoul to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in regional and multilateral fora. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on enhancing political dialogue, economic engagement, and people-to-people ties. The discussion highlighted Paraguay’s role as current President of MERCOSUR and growing opportunities for collaboration with ASEAN, including prospects for trade cooperation, sustainability initiatives, and carbon market mechanisms. A shared commitment to a rules-based international order, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law was likewise underscored. 

Read More
January 26, 2026
PH AMBASSADOR RECEIVES ROK IPU SECRETARY GENERAL CANDIDATE, MR. SANGSOO JUN

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.

Read More
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