28 May 2014 - The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) vowed closer bilateral and regional cooperation as they marked 65 years of relations during the successful conduct of the 5th Policy Consultations on May 27 at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
DFA Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia led the Philippine delegation along with Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Minda Calaguian-Cruz and Ambassador-designate to ROK Raul S. Hernandez. First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yong and Ambassador Lee Hyuk headed the ROK side, which consists of delegates from the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ROK Embassy in Manila.
The two sides reviewed the continued growth of bilateral relations and discussed measures to further enhance political, defense, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. Earlier this year, the Philippines signed a contract to acquire twelve (12) FA-50 fighter jets from the ROK. The importance of ensuring the safety and well being of Filipino and Korean nationals in each other’s territory was also highlighted in the meeting. The Policy Consultations likewise provided an opportunity for both delegations to exchange views on regional and global developments affecting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bilateral relations between the Philippines and ROK entered its 65th year when the Philippines became the fifth country to recognize the newly-established Republic of Korea on on 3 March 1949. In September 1950, the Philippines joined the United Nations coalition in actively defending the ROK in the Korean War (1950-53) through the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) with 7,420 Filipino soldiers representing the 4th largest foreign troop contribution.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, the ROK provided humanitarian assistance to typhoon victims and deployed personnel from the Korea Disaster Relief and the Korean Armed Forces composed of medical, rescue, recovery and engineering personnel to assist in relief and recovery operations.
The ROK is one of the Philippines’ top trading partners and major source of investments, as well as being the Philippines’ top tourism market since 2010 with tourist arrivals breaching the one (1) million-mark in 2012 and again in 2013.
The Philippines-ROK Political Consultations is the main forum for extensive dialogue between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries, providing significant opportunities for advancing effective cooperation towards the attainment of common goals and mutually-beneficial interests. END