PH, Republic of Korea Affirm Cooperation on Migration and Support for Rules-Based International Order

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega gives a token of appreciation to ROK Deputy Foreign Minister Hong Seok-in after their meeting.

SEOUL 27 December 2023 – A delegation of Philippine officials, led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega, called on officials of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 December 2023 in Seoul. The ROK delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister, and Representative to Korean Nationals Overseas Protection and Consular Affairs Hong Seok-in.

Both sides recognized the importance of migration, and looked forward to continuing and strengthened cooperation in this area. 

Undersecretary de Vega took the opportunity to highlight the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, in assisting overseas Filipinos through its operations, sustained advocacy for migration as a key issue in multilateral platforms and plans to further empower overseas Filipinos in their host communities. “I commend the cooperation between the ROK government and the Philippine Embassy in strengthening relations, especially people-to-people relations,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega discussed the Embassy’s upcoming projects in the area of migration. She also underscored the Philippines’ readiness to work with ROK in commemorating next year the 75th anniversary of Philippine-ROK diplomatic relations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hong said that migrant workers in ROK, especially Filipinos, help mitigate the effects of the country’s low fertility rate. “It is indispensable and necessary to take care of foreign workers,” he said. In addition, as the Philippines is identified as one of ROK’s important partners in the latter’s Indo-Pacific strategy, Deputy Foreign Minister Hong said that both sides can further develop and expand cooperation in the politico-economic and security areas. 

Both sides also exchanged notes on recent incidents that threatened regional security. The Philippines and ROK had respectively released official statements to express concern during such incidents, calling on parties to exercise caution and restraint. The meeting allowed both sides to reiterate their mutual commitment to a rules-based international order. 

The Philippines and ROK looked forward to the ratification of the Philippine-ROK Free Trade Agreement. Both sides also expressed readiness to expand bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership. 

There are more than 67,000 Filipinos in ROK who are mostly workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), seasonal workers, and marriage migrants who all contribute to the country’s increasingly multicultural society. END