By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

 

“We look forward to a future-oriented partnership…the upgrade of our relations to a strategic partnership will open fresh avenues for growth,” stressed Amb. of the Philippines to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega at a reception on March 5.

Delivering toast remarks at a reception for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines held at Grand Hyatt Seoul, Amb. Dizon-De Vega said, “And grow it shall across many areas of cooperation from Korea’s engagement in the Build Better More infrastructure program of the Philippines through which landmark structures such as the highly-anticipated and transformative Panguil Bay Bridge project in Mindanao is set to open on this auspicious year.”

 

Commenting on the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, she also said, “There are many benefits to be reaped from the FTA in cooperation on defense and security, green technology, energy, bio-engineering, health, critical minerals, creative industries, digitalization, labor, smart agriculture.”

More than 300 foreign ambassadors, including Amb. Thant Sin of Myanmar and Amb. Songkane Luangmuninthone of Lao PDR, senior diplomats and Korean guests attended the gala reception.

 

Director General Kim Dong-bae of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in his toast remarks, “This year marks a significant milestone as we expect the entry into force of our free trade agreement, which was signed last September. We will also expect the elevation of our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in the months ahead, not years.”

Noting that the Philippines was the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with the ROK and it was also the first Asian country to extend a helping hand during the Korean War by sending the largest number of troops among Asian countries, Kim said, “These sacrifices of the Philippine soldiers will continue to be cherished in the minds of the Korean people.”

 

Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, who attended the reception as a special guest, said, “The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, and that they should do more to work with GGGI to help the people of the Philippines, a founding Member State of GGGI.”

Ban continued to say, “As a Korean citizen, I am proud that Korea—the Host Country and also a found Member State of GGGI—is committed to supporting the Philippines in this cause. I hope many more governments will join us to fight the climate crisis in the Philippines and elsewhere throughout the world.”

 

 

The following is the full-text of toast remarks by H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines

 

HE Ban Ki-moon, President and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute and 8th Secretary General of the United Nations 
Hon. Kim Dong Bae, Director General of MOFA 
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps 
Excellency former Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines – Han Dong Man 
Ladies and Gentlemen 
Mabuhay! Annyeong Hashimnikka! 

 

On behalf of the Philippine Embassy in Korea I convey sincerest appreciation for your presence this evening.  
Whenever I reference the long-standing relations between the Philippines and Korea, our strong people-to-people ties exemplified by our shared sacrifices during the Korean War is cited as the core of our relations. On this special occasion marking a landmark in our partnership, allow me to go back a little further.   

 

Over two centuries to be exact, to share the story of Moon Soon-deuk, considered to be the first Korean to have learned a Philippine language and possibly the first Korean interpreter for Filipinos, specifically five seafarers who were shipwrecked off the coast of Jeju Island in 1801. Through the assistance of Moon Soon deuk, the Filipinos were eventually able to return to the Philippines after several years in Korea. Moon was himself reportedly a merchant-sailor from Ui-do in South Jeolla who travelled to Asia including the Philippines where he was said to have learned a Philippine language, local traditions, and cuisine.  

 

In the succeeding centuries, there are more documented manifestations of our partnership principally the Philippines having been a member of the UN Temporary Commission on Korea or the UNTCOK and during the Korean War [when we jointly defended freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino.

 

There are likewise examples of our close partnership in the post-war reconstruction of South Korea as Filipino engineers, architects, technicians helped to design and build landmarks such as the Ministry of Culture office and the Jangchung Gymnasium which has served the city of Seoul for over 60 years. [Jasmine Bacurnay-Lee, a native of Davao, is the first non-ethnic Korean to become a member of the National Assembly and is currently serving a limited term in that august body.
  
More than seven decades after the Philippines became the fifth nation to recognize the Republic of Korea on March 3, 1949, our long-standing ties are fortified by our common commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, and a rules-based international order. Both our countries embraced the democratic pathway as the linchpin of our respective independent, nation-building enterprises. These shared values likewise inform our joint efforts to build a free, peaceful, and prosperous region.  

 

 

While we commemorate the past, we likewise look to the future, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. states in his message to President Yoon Suk Yeol, “As we celebrate the diamond jubilee of our relations, I look forward to a future-oriented partnership…the upgrade of our relations to a strategic partnership will open fresh avenues for growth.”  

And grow it shall across many areas of cooperation from Korea’s engagement in the Build Better More infrastructure program of the Philippines through which landmark structures such as the highly-anticipated and transformative Panguil Bay Bridge project in Mindanao is set to open on this auspicious year, the benefits to be reaped from our recently signed Free Trade Agreement to cooperation on defense and security, green technology, energy, bio-engineering, health, critical minerals, creative industries, digitalization, labor, smart agriculture to mention a few. 

 

 

We invite our friends from the Korean government, the private sector, the international community, and the Filipino and Korean communities to experience our many commemorative events and activities throughout our 75th anniversary year. We will likewise be sharing some aspects of our relations which may not be known to many. As we celebrate our enduring ties and work towards our strategic partnership, our relations will continue to draw inspiration from the dynamic ties between our peoples – a shared affinity that pre-dates Filipinos’ fascination with the Hallyu Wave and our Korean friends love for our welcoming tropical isles.  

 

Again, our deepest thanks for joining us at this launch reception to mark the start of a milestone year. May I invite you to join a toast to the deep ties and enduring partnership of the Philippines and Korea.

Gamsahamnida. Maraming Salamat.

 

 

The following is the full-text of toast remarks by Director General Kim Dong-bae, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

H.E. Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega 
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of GGGI,  
Honorable Ambassadors and fellow diplomats, and  
Distinguished guests,  

 

Tonight we have gathered to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two Republics of Korea and the Philippines.  I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ambassador De Vega and the Embassy staff for hosting this splendid reception. 

 

The Philippines was the first ASEAN country to establish diplomatic relations with the ROK.  It was also the first Asian country to extend a helping hand during the Korean War by sending the largest number of troops among Asian countries.  These sacrifices of the Philippine soldiers will continue to be cherished in the minds of the Korean people.  

 

 

This year marks a significant milestone as we expect the entry into force of our free trade agreement, which was signed last September.  We will also expect the elevation of our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in the months ahead, not years.  So we will embark on a new chapter of our friendship and solidarity, building upon the achievement over the past 75 years.  

 

I am so honored to take part in this new journey. In Korea, the term 'sikku(식구)' means those who share meals. Sharing a meal and exchanging greetings over food denotes a family bond. Early last month, I read an interview article of Ambassador De Vega.  She said that a Korean customary greeting - asking whether you have had a meal - exactly resonates in the Philippines as well.   

 

That is 'jeong(정)' in Korean, underscoring the cultural similarity between our two countries.  If the first 75 years of our friendship were forged through mutual efforts for freedom and democracy, the next 75 years will be anchored on a more profound and strategic trust.  

I am confident that tonight’s reception will be an occasion to foster such a sense among us, including a sense of family bond. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue relationship. With a strong support from ASEAN partners including the Philippines, ASEAN-ROK ties will be upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 
 
In this family spirit, I would like to propose a toast: To the peoples of the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines; To our enduring friendship that has flourished over the past 75 years; and To our refreshed journey towards a centennial of unwavering solidarity. 

Cheers!  Thank you.

 

The following is the full-text of special message by H.E. Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, and the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations 

 

Ambassador Theresa De Vega, Director-General Kim Dong-bae, Excellencies,  
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,  
Good evening! 안녕하십니까! Magandang gabi! 

 

Thank you for the kind invitation to say a few words to celebrate this special occasion together: the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. 

 

While I am a “global citizen” and have spent much time abroad—including my 10-year tenure as the Secretary-General of the United Nations—I am and always will be Korean, so I am very pleased to celebrate with you as a Korean citizen. 

 

I should briefly share that I usually cannot attend these receptions because of my very busy schedule and there are so many of them each year. As a Korean diplomat of nearly four decades, I believe I must have participated in several thousand receptions during my lifetime. So, to all of the ambassadors here: I hope you will not suddenly expect that I will attend all of your receptions also. 

 

But I felt compelled to accept the kind invitation tonight because I was in Manila just last week. I had very successful meetings with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., President Asakawa of the Asian Development Bank, several ministers and Senators, and many members of the diplomatic corps in Manila. 

 

I was especially pleased to visit the Senate chambers to witness the ratification of the Host Country Agreement with the Global Green Growth Institute, as well as the Senate resolution to officially recognize my contributions to society. It was a huge honor to be the first foreign dignitary to address the Senate for the special occasion. 

 

And while I was there, I was again reminded of the special relations between the Philippines and Korea. The majority of diplomatic relations with Korea can be traced back approximately 60 years or less. But Korea’s relations with the Philippines predates the Korean War. In fact, the Philippines contributed 7,420 service members to the defense of Korea. 

 

I was just a schoolboy back then but—needless to say—I have vivid memories of the atrocities and destruction of the Korean War. I cannot imagine the bravery of those young Filipinos—many of whom probably could not find Korea on a map before—coming all the way to Korea in defense of freedom. For this, I will always be grateful to the Filipino people. And for this reason, especially, I was immensely pleased to remind everyone I met last week that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and that they should do more to work with GGGI to help the people of the Philippines, a founding Member State of GGGI. 

 

As a Korean citizen, I am proud that Korea—the Host Country and also a found Member State of GGGI—is committed to supporting the Philippines in this cause. I hope many more governments will join us to fight the climate crisis in the Philippines / and elsewhere throughout the world. 

 

Thank you again, Ambassador De Vega, for this opportunity to speak here tonight. And congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations! May there be even greater strides and achievements made in the next 75 years!