EMBASSY, MULTICULTURAL RADIO INK ACCORD TO PUSH PHL ISSUES

By: Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Seoul

SEOUL, 16 April 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez signed on 15 April 2015 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with award-winning Woongjin Foundation and its partner Digital Skynet Inc. to raise public awareness on Filipino migrant issues, as well as promote Philippine culture to the broader Korean public.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez shows off the signed MOU with partners Woongjin Foundation Chairman Shin Hyon-Ung (left) and Digital Skynet Inc. President Kim Chung-Hyun (right).
In his opening remarks at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Hernandez thanked Woongjin Foundation and Digital Skynet for this initiative, which aims to strengthen cooperation among the parties in the execution of programs and activities that will provide important information relevant to the stay of the more than 50,000 Filipinos residing in Korea.

The MOU, which was signed by Ambassador Hernandez, Woongjin Foundation Chairman Shin Hyon-Ung and Digital Skynet Inc. President Mr. Kim Chung-Hyun at the Embassy’s Conference Room, paved the way for the launch of a new Embassy-focused series on Digital Radio KISS’ program, “Multicultural Family Music Broadcast for Filipinos.”

“I am delighted with this partnership. Woongjin’s facilities will be able to reach and convey our messages not only to the Filipinos but also to the Korean public,” Ambassador Hernandez said, adding that the new series would ensure that “our ties are strengthened and enhanced for the benefit of both Koreans and Filipinos.”

The hour-long radio show, which had its pilot airing in February and March featuring guest appearances by First Secretary and Consul General Iric Arribas and Labor Attache Felicitas Bay, deals with issues relating to consular, economic, cultural, and tourism matters as well as assistance-to-nationals, labor and welfare of migrants.

Woongjin Foundation, which is funded mainly by the Woongjin Group, won the Radio Journalism Award from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in 2011 for its positive role in helping migrant workers and Filipina marriage immigrants adjust to life in Korea, as well as in advocating their cause and promoting a positive image of them overseas.

Apart from the Filipino language, Woongjin began airing radio programs in 2008 in seven other foreign languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian and Mongolian. Newscasters fluent in each language take turns and air programs throughout the day.

The radio station mainly focuses on introducing Korean culture and tradition, as well as daily tips on living in Korea to foreign listeners. The station also delivers news on the eight countries and Korean language lessons, while playing K-pop music.

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