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Bilateral relations between the two countries started on 3 March 1949 when the Philippines became the fifth country to recognize the Republic of Korea, which was inaugurated on 15 August 1948. The friendship was cemented by the Philippine deployment of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War in the 1950s to help South Korea defend itself from the invasion of the North.
After the Armistice, the ROK sent H.E. Kim Yong-Ki as its first Ambassador to the Philippines on 19 January 1954. In May of the same year, the Philippines established a legation in the ROK led by Minister Tomas de Castro, who was appointed as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Philippines in the country. In 1958, the Philippines opened an Embassy in Seoul under Ambassador Eduardo Quintero. The relationship blossomed in the course of the decades through cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral fronts. In the multilateral setting, they are now cooperating closely in the UN, FEALAC, ASEM, APEC, ARF, EAS and ASEAN+3.
| Roster of Legates and Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Accredited to the Republic of Korea | |
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- Tomas de Castro
Minister (Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary), 11 May 1954 to 1956 - Cosme P. Garciao
Minister (Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary),1956-1957
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- Eduardo T. Quintero, 25 July 1958 - 1960
- Juan M. Arreglado, 1960 - 1963
- Pedro L. Ramirez, July 1964 - 12 April 1968
- Benjamin T. Tirona, 10 May 1968 - 1 April 1979
- Nicaor T. Jimenez, 18 January 1980 - 15 April 1985
- Tomas R. Padilla, 19 January 1986 - 31 December 1990
- Raul Ch. Rabe, 23 April 1992 - 07 April 1993
- Francisco L. Benedicto, 14 June 1993 - 16 May 1995
- Ernesto S. Gidaya, 8 January 1996 - 31 August 1998
- Juanito P. Jarasa, 21 May 1999 - 12 June 2003
- Aladin G. Villacorte, 30 September 2003 - 31 June 2005
- Susan O. Castrence, 27 January 2006 - 20 January 2008
- Luis T. Cruz, 15 February 2008 - present
South Korea is currently a major trading partner of the Philippines. In 2006, South Korea was the top sender of visitors to the country, with more than half a million arrivals. Both governments have instituted various agreements at the bilateral level, including, for labor, the Employment Permit System. Cooperation between the two countries in the political, security, economic, socio-cultural and development fields is expected to continue as both parties strive to further strengthen relations.
The Philippines is an active supporter of the inter-Korean peace process and reconciliation efforts. It joins the international call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as a crucial step for the security and continued economic development of the region and strongly advocates a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue, particularly through multilateral dialogue.
High-level policy consultations between the Philippines and South Korea are done on a regular basis.
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