02 February 2015 - The head of the National Defense Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly expressed support to the Philippines on January 28 during a call made to him by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez at his office.

Rep. Hwang Jin-ha, a three-term assemblyman from the ruling Saenuri Party, said he supports “whatever efforts to improve stability in the region” in response to Ambassador Hernandez’ expression of gratitude for South Korea’s and in particular his committee’s responsiveness to overall bilateral defense cooperation.

Ambassador Hernandez thanked South Korea in particular for its crucial role in the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to establish a credible defense posture through the modernization plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

He also took the opportunity to thank Rep. Hwang for the cooperation and support extended by the National Assembly, especially by the National Defense Committee, for approving the yearlong deployment of South Korea’s Araw Contingent for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in Leyte starting December 2013.

“The Philippines is an extraordinary country for us,” Rep. Hwang said, calling the country South Korea’s “blood brother” for having sent an expeditionary force during the Korean War. He lamented the “unexpected tragedy” of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan and expressed hope that the affected areas recover quickly.

The Araw Contingent (formally called the Joint Support Group Philippines) left the Philippines on a chartered jet on 22 December 2014 after 359 days of humanitarian missions in typhoon-battered areas in Tolosa, Palo and Tanauan in Leyte, eastern Visayas. END