26 June 2008, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department that the Filipino-Korean Spouses Association (FKSA) celebrated its 7th Anniversary at the Bupyeong Community Welfare Center, Sangkok Dong, Bupyeong-Gu, Incheon City on 22 June 2008. The Center provides services for foreigners living and working in Incheon City, such as Korean language training and cultural orientation to foreign spouses and migrant workers.

In his speech, Amb. Cruz praised FKSA for “building bridges of understanding and connecting families so that they become integrated to the mainstream of Korean society”. He also commended its President, Mrs. Fe Kim, for her leadership, compassion and advocacy in protecting the rights of women and promoting multiculturalism in South Korea. The FKSA is one of the nominees from South Korea for this year’s Presidential Award for Filipino Organizations Overseas by virtue of its relevant programs and numerous achievements in promoting harmony in multicultural families. As of last year, Korean government statistics showed that 97,236 foreign women were married to Korean men, over 5,000 of whom were Filipinas.