KOREA BULLETIN 1

I am delighted that the Philippines and Korea continue to deepen and broaden their political, economic, and cultural relations. The second quarter of the year has indeed produced significant outcomes in our bilat-eral partnership.

Last April, the Philippines stood united with the international community in sup-porting the Korean government’s endeavor to maintain peace and stability on the Kore-

an Peninsula and beyond, condemning a series of provocations of North Korea, including its failed missile launch. The Philippines also issued a statement urging North Korea to abide by the rel-evant UN Security Council Resolutions and abandon its existing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile program.

Furthermore, our trade and investment relations continue to advance. Korea remains supportive of the Philippine govern-ment’s goal of improving the business environment in the coun-try. In particular, the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) project, which the Korean government has been pursuing in developing

countries, provides a valuable opportunity to examine the best practices and review existing contract systems in participating countries. Held last May in Manila, the EoDB Workshop identi-fied key areas by which the Philippines can work on in order to improve its contracting system and thereby, attract more foreign investors and promote economic growth.

In addition to the developments in our diplomatic and eco-nomic ties, I am also delighted about the achievements of our two countries in the aspect of our cultural relations. The Korean Cul-tural Center (KCC), which is celebrating the First Anniversary of its establishment this July, has made considerable contributions in fostering greater cultural exchanges in the areas of arts and lit-erature. In the forthcoming months, I am confident that the KCC will provide greater opportunities for interaction between our two peoples and encourage an even deeper appreciation for Korean culture.

Last but not least, I am hopeful that the launch of the Korea Tourism Organization last May will further promote Korea in the Philippines and connect our two peoples more closely together.

Thank you very much.

Korea Tourism Organization inaugurates

Manila OfficeTo reinforce the collabora-

tion for tourism exchange, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) launched its Manila of-fice last May 30 at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel.

“In recent years, our two countries enjoyed a very dy-namic people-to-people ex-change. Last year, almost one million Koreans visited the Philippines, ranking first and contributing the largest tourist arrivals by nationality.” Am-bassador Hye Min LEE said in his speech. “At the same time, more Filipinos became inter-ested to learn and visit Korea, with Filipino visitors to Ko-rea reaching over 300,000 in 2011.”

KTO also held the Travel Mart with 17 local and inter-national airlines in participa-tion as well as representatives of travel agencies from Korea.

Charm Lee, President of KTO, was in the country to witness the event.

“As I have been hearing, the Korean wave is currently very popular in the Philip-pines. I feel that this is the very right time to install our branch office here in the Philippines and promote Korean culture and tourism.” Charm LEE said.

Also in attendance were Philippine Tourism Undersec-retary Daniel Corpuz, Korean Tourism Ambassador Jung-il Choi, Tourism Promotions Board head Domingo Ramon Enerio III and Travel Agents Association President Aileen Clemente.

The launch of KTO Manila is hoped to bring encourage more Filipinos to travel to Korea. Leading the inau-guration were Ambassador Hye Min LEE (fourth from left), DOT Usec Daniel Corpuz (third from left) and KTO President Charm Lee.

CONTENTS

Korea Copyright Commission opens in Manila to protect culture contents

KOICA Signs Agreement for Davao Training Center

Yeosu Expo opens, focuses on marine conservation

Korea sponsors ASEAN Conference on ECCD

Incheon to host 2014 Asian Games

KCC turns one, inaugurates ceramic exhibit

Workshop on Ease of Doing Business held

Annual filmfest to feature seven family-themed hits

Korea Tourism Organization inaugurates Manila Office

KOREA BULLETINThe official publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea July 2012

KOREA BULLETIN2

Korea sponsors ASEAN Confer-ence on ECCD

As part of its goal to be-come the world’s standard in social welfare and develop-ment, the Philippines through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) hosted an ASEAN Conference on Early Child-hood Care and Development (ECCD) last July 10 to 12 at the Diamond Hotel.

The conference gathered various policy makers and pro-gram implementers involved in ECCD from government and recognized non-govern-ment agencies in the Asian Region.

The event was aimed to create a comprehensive ECCD system that will ensure the respect, promotion and fulfill-ment of children’s rights.

About 30 participants from the ASEAN-member countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambo-dia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Ma-laysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet-nam attended the conference.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman led the opening cer-emonies.

“There is a growing aware-ness that early childhood care and development (ECCD) is an important element in nur-turing physical and intellectual capacity as well as social inter-action of children.” The speech of Ambassador Hye Min LEE read. “I believe that this Semi-nar is a pertinent platform by which we can share our best practices and develop policy framework that is conducive to sustaining their well-being.”

During the three-day con-ference, participants shared and exchanged good practices on ECCD, especially focusing on building systems, policies, frameworks, and governance. The activity was also geared at enhancing the understanding, knowledge and capacities of participants as critical actors in building an integrated ECCD system.

The Korea Copyright Commission inaugurated its Philippine office last May 10, its fourth satellite copyright office in Asia following the of-fices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Thailand.

The Copyright Commis-sion is expected to promote Korean arts and culture in the Philippines and improve the overall protection of its cul-tural contents in the world’s expanding market. The Com-mission will also assist the Philippine government in its

Korea Copyright Commission opens in Manila to protect culture contents

campaign for protection of copyright.

Ambassador Hye Min LEE highlights the contribution that the promotion of copy-right has made to the flourish-ing culture industry of Korea.

“The cultural industry of Korea has experienced excep-tional achievements brought by the fast growing popular-ity of Hallyu or the Korean Wave across the world. One of the main reasons for our success comes from our copy-right protection system. The

Workshop on APEC-Ease of Doing Business on Enforcing Contracts

The Department of For-eign Affairs (DFA) together with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea held the workshop on APEC-Ease of Doing Business Workshop on Enforcing Contracts at the Manila Hotel last May 4.

“This gathering of legal experts and government of-ficials is a meaningful event

to increase our awareness and to explore ways to advance current practice of enforc-ing contract process in the Philippines.”Ambassador Hye Min LEE said in his speech. “I believe that this workshop will provide us a valuable opportu-nity to share our best practices and also review the current contract system in the Philip-

pines.”In attendance were Hon.

Bernalito Fernandez of the Supreme Court, Hon. Laura del Rosario of DFA, Hon. Jose Vicente Salazar of Department of Justice, Hon. Guillermo Luz, Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council, Dean Custodio Parlade of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc., Director Yung-sang Kim of the Ministry of Justice, and Atty. Sang Kil Park of Kim and Chang Law.

Korean government has rec-ognized the importance of establishing mechanisms that will strengthen the protection of Korean artists. With good copyright protection system, artists will be even more moti-vated to come up with creative and sensational productions.” Ambassador LEE said.

In his remarks, Chair-man Byong-han YU stated that “as the Internet and digi-tal technology advances, we need multilateral efforts and cooperation beyond borders in terms of the distribution and use of copyrights and the measures against piracy.” In attendance were Mr. Hyun Rae Jo, Director of Copyright Division of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Seong-hwan Jang, man-ager of the International Co-operation Team of the Korea Copyright Commission, Atty. Antonio Santo, Director of the National Library of the Philip-pines and Atty. Ricardo Blan-caflor, Director-General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

KOREA BULLETIN 3

The 2014 Asian Games will be held in Incheon, Korea from September 19 to Octo-ber 4, 2014 with 437 events in the line-up of 36 sports and disciplines. The official slogan of the 2014 Asiad, unveiled in September 16, 2010, is “Diversity Shines Here,” high-lighting the significance of Asia’s diversity in history, cultures and religions.

The official emblem, known as the three seal siblings, were unveiled on November 4, 2010. Known as Barame, Chumuro and Vi-chuon, these three seals represent the wind,

Incheon to host 2014 Asian Games

KOICA Signs Agreement for Phase II of Davao Training Center

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOI-CA) and the Technical Educa-tion and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), repre-sented by Resident Represent-ative Kim Jinoh and Secretary Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, respectively, signed the agree-ment for the Phase II Project of Upgrading and Enhance-ment of Training Programs of the Regional Training Center – Korea Philippines Vocation-al Training Center (KPVTC) in Davao City last June 10.

The RTC-KPVTC Davao, a well-known TESDA man-aged vocational training center, will provide an inte-grated training provision to respond to the agri-mechani-zation thrust and manpower requirements of Davao and

facilities and construction of a new building, to include two incubation centers, a multi-purpose hall and a Korean Language center. The grant will also cover the provision of equipment, training of Fili-pino officials and staff in Ko-rea, and dispatch of Korean experts for the transfer of op-erational skills at the Center.

“The Phase II Project of KorPhil Vocational Training Center that will rise is Korea’s way of continuously helping replicate our success in socio-economic development in the Philippines,” said KOICA Resident Representative Kim Jinoh during the ceremony held at the TESDA Office in Taguig City on July 10.

The project will be imple-mented from 2012-2014.

Mindanao Region promoting a value proposition of KOR-PHIL--Key Organizational Response for the achievement of Productive and Healthy

Industries and Liberating em-ployment.

Korea will provide a US $3,000,000 grant to fund the renovation of existing center

dance and light in the Korean language and was patterned after the theme of the main venue. The seal, with the prototype taken from Baengnyeong Island, was chosen as a symbol of the future peace between South and North Korea.

There are 28 Olympic sports to be featured in the 2014 Asian Games. These sports will also be part of the 2016 Sum-mer Olympics. Apart from this, eight non-Olympic sports will be played, including baseball, ten-pin bowling, cricket, kabaddi, karate, sepak takraw, squash and wushu.

This is the third time that the Republic of Korea is hosting the Asian Games, the first two being Seoul in 1986 and Busan in 2002.

The Asian Games began in 1949, succeeding the Far Eastern Cham-pionship Games held in Manila, the Philippines, in 1913 and the West Asian Games held in New Delhi, India, in 1934.

Yeosu Expo opens, focuses on marine conservation

Yeosu Expo 2012 opened last May 12 following a great glob-al anticipation to the first marine-themed exposition in history. Korea, also a host to the recently-concluded Seoul Nuclear Se-curity Summit, is now holding the three-month long exposition with more than a hundred countries in participation.

The exposition, which hit its four millionth visitor last July 18, is envisioned to bring humanity back on a sustainable track through ocean and coasts conservation.

The Expo will also be tackling global measures to address the protection of the endangered marine and coastal environ-ment of the Earth and its ecosystems, with calls for international cooperation to the participating countries.

The Republic of the Philippines had a special cultural per-formance last July 22 they performed ‘Iisang Bangka Tayo’ (We are in the same boat).

Apart from the regular cultural shows from the participant-ing countries, other attractions include the Big-O Show, and the seven thematic pavilions namely the Theme Pavilion, the Korea

Pavilion, Climate and Environment Pavilion, Marine and Indus-try Technology Pavilion, Marine Civilization and City Pavilion, the DSME Marine Robot Pavilion and the Aquarium.

Yeosu 2012 will entirely be focused on seeking co-existence and common prosperity between the ocean, its coasts and hu-manity in the light of global warming and environment degrada-tion.

Photo courtesy of http://2012expo.wordpress.com

KOREA BULLETIN4

KCC turns one, opens ceramic exhibit to highlight Korean heritage

In celebration of its first year anniversary, the Korean Cultur-al Center together with the Korea Ceramic Foundation (KOCEF) launched the ‘Living Ceramics: The Modern Touch of Korean Heritage’ last July 13 with 15 Korean artists in participation.

The exhibit is hoped to introduce to the Filipinos the cel-ebrated Korean ceramic tradition, which has been infused with modern touches and techniques throughout the history of Ko-rea’s heritage and ceramic culture. The exhibit is also geared to-wards putting the Korean traditional dining customs on the map of the cultural awareness of the Filipinos.

This exhibit is envisioned to be an important watershed for the emergence of new art forms and it is also expected to serve as a momentum for the continued cultural exchange and friend-ship between the Philippines and Korea.

The exhibit will run until October 12.In attendance were Minister and Consul General of the Em-

bassy of the Republic of Korea Hon. Kyong Ho MIN, President of KOCEF Hon. Young Kun Song and Chairman of the National

Commission for Culture and the Arts Hon. Felipe de Leon, Jr. KOCEF is an established international entity for the promo-

tion and development of the artistic endeavors related to ceramic art. It is the leading cultural institution for ceramics, with the distinction of having started the biggest gathering of ceramic art-ists around the world through the foundation of Gyeonggi World Ceramic Biennale.

Annual filmfest to feature seven family-themed hits

The Korean Cultural Center will be featuring seven family-themed top-grossing films on its annual Korean Film Festival to be held on September 18 to 30 and October 3 to 7 in Manila, Baguio and Cebu.

The Manila leg is scheduled on September 18 to 23 at SM Megamall, while Baguio will be on September 26 to 30 at SM Baguio. SM Cebu, on the other hand, will be hosting the Visayan leg on October 3 to 7.

The films are Jeon Woo Chi (전우치), Spellbound (오싹한 연애), Bunt (날아라 허동구), A Barefoot Dream (맨발의 꿈), Late Blossom (그대를 사랑합니다), Arahan (아라한 장풍 대작전) and Highway Star (복면달호).

The film ‘Jeon Woo Chi’ tells the story of the eponymous playful apprentice who gets imprisoned in a scroll, having been wrongfully accused for murder. He gets freed 500 years later as a last resort to bring back the order into the world.

An unusual mix of horror and romance, ‘Spellbound’ focuses on the love story between road magician Jo-goo and the muse for his overnight success, Yu-ri. Yu-ri is haunted by ghosts and Jo-goo, who falls in love with her, has to rise above his fears to save the two of them.

‘Bunt’, on the other hand, deals with the mentally-challenged Dong-ku who suddenly finds himself without ‘use’ upon the ar-rival of water purifiers. In an attempt to use his only capabilty, Dong-ku finds himself joining the baseball team.

The sports drama ‘A Barefoot Dream’ is a story of a former soccer prospect who heads to his dreams, the International Youth Soccer Championship, albeit with numerous almost-failures of detours.

Also in the list is the drama ‘Late Blossom,’ a heartwarm-ing film on the lives of the two couples living not far apart from each other. It follows the two couples’ respective struggles on life and love.

‘Arahan’ follows the story of the honest yet clumsy rookie policeman Sang-hwan and the martial arts specialist Eui Jin. To-gether they fight the evil Heuk-woon whose greed wreaks havoc to mankind.

Capping off the list is the the musical-comedy ‘Highway Star’ which tells the story of Dal-Ho and his dream. Dal-Ho wants to become a famous rock singer, but was forced to play trot to make ends meet. He later gets the chance to release an album but belatedly realized that he has to sing trot instead of rock’n roll. His shame drives him to hide his face but his voice and his mysteriousness catapult him to unprecendented success.

This year’s film festival has expanded its reach to include Baguio in the line-up. Admission is free and is on a first-come, first-served basis.