Seoul, 17 June 2026 – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez delivered a special lecture before students, faculty members, and researchers of Hanyang University ERICA Campus in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on 17 June 2026, highlighting the strength of the PH-ROK relations and the growing economic opportunities between the two countries.

In her lecture, Ambassador Fernandez discussed the enduring ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, rooted in shared sacrifice during the Korean War and strengthened through the two countries’ Strategic Partnership. She underscored the breadth and dynamism of cooperation across defense and security, trade and investment, culture, people-to-people exchanges, sub-national engagement, and regional affairs.

The Ambassador also highlighted the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” and its alignment with the Republic of Korea’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership vision towards ASEAN.

A key part of the Embassy’s engagement focused on the Philippines’ shipbuilding and ship repair industry. Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon Yalong presented investment opportunities in the sector before faculty and students of the university’s Department of Marine Convergence Engineering, one of the ROK’s respected academic centers in shipbuilding and marine engineering.

Commercial Attaché Yalong highlighted the Philippines’ skilled workforce, strategic location, policy reforms, fiscal incentives under the CREATE MORE Act, and strong potential as a resilient and competitive manufacturing base in the Asia-Pacific. She also noted the opportunities for deeper Philippines–ROK cooperation in shipbuilding, particularly with the presence of major Korean industry players in the Philippines.

Dean Jaebok Lee of the School of Global Culture and Commerce welcomed the Embassy’s visit and noted that the event marked the first time in forty years that the School hosted an ambassador for a special lecture.

The engagement forms part of the Philippine Embassy’s continuing public and economic diplomacy efforts to bring Philippine opportunities closer to Korean universities, research institutions, industry experts, and future leaders. END