Yeouido, Republic of Korea — Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea paid a farewell call on PH-ROK Parliamentary Friendship Chairman Rep. Kim Sungwon last 8 July 2025 at the National Assembly. The Ambassador extended her gratitude for the Parliamentary Friendship Chair’s steadfast friendship and invaluable support over the last four years. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise acknowledged the invaluable role of the ROK-Philippine Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in promoting robust legislative cooperation and productive people-to-people exchanges through regional parliamentary dialogues and capacity-building activities. She likewise expressed appreciation for Rep. Kim’s involvement in high-level Philippine congressional visits to the Republic of Korea from 2021 to 2025, including at Speaker-level for both nations. 

The Ambassador highlighted major milestones achieved in Philippine-Korea relations during her term with the support of the National Assembly, notably the signing and ratification of the PH-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which garnered overwhelming bipartisan support from the Korean National Assembly.  The Ambassador and Chairman Kim also reaffirmed the enduring legacy of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea’s shared sacrifices during the Korean War, reflected in commemorative activities honoring the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) which both sides regularly spearheads. The Ambassador also thanked the Republic of Korea for its continuing engagement with the Filipino community and growing cultural exchanges. 

For his part, Rep. Kim Sungwon extended his sincerest gratitude for Ambassador Dizon-De Vega’s four fruitful years of service in the ROK and assured her of the PH-ROK Parliamentary Friendship Group’s continued support even as she concludes her tenure. He likewise looked forward to more legislative exchanges in the near future. 

At the end of the call, the Ambassador conveyed best wishes for Chairman Kim’s continued success and extended a warm invitation for him and other members of the PH-ROK Parliamentary Friendship Group to visit the Philippines, as both nations look forward to deepening legislative and people-centered cooperation. END