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MS. KATHERINE CORTEZA, ITAEWON GLOBAL VILLAGE CENTER DIRECTOR, AWARDED SEOUL HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

8December 2023, Seoul. Ms. Katherine Corteza, Director of the Itaewon Global Village Center (IGVC), was conferred the prestigious 2023 Seoul Honorary Citizenship Award by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) represented by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, on 8 December 2023. In attendance during the ceremony was Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane De Dumo-Cornista, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Mr. Kim Eun Sook, and IGVC Officer Ms. Grace Heo.

The SMG acknowledged Ms. Corteza's unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to cultural understanding and community integration within the international enclave of Itaewon. She was also cited for her exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she advocated for a special vaccination schedule for foreign workers who were unable to take leave from work, which resulted in the Center holding vaccination programs for foreign residents in Seoul with the support of the SMG and Yongsan-gu Office.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that the Embassy nominated Ms. Corteza for her outstanding contributions to the community and her unwavering dedication to promoting multiculturalism and the well-being of foreign residents in Korea. She also hoped that Ms. Corteza's recognition would not only celebrate her achievements, but also inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Ms. Corteza's recognition aligns with Seoul's long-standing tradition of bestowing honorary citizenship upon foreign nationals contributing significantly to the city's development. Since its inception in 1958, more than 900 individuals from 100 countries have received this honor. The 15 individuals selected in 2023, including Ms. Corteza, exemplify dedication to community welfare and assistance to foreign nationals, playing pivotal roles in Seoul's growth. Honorary citizens are invited to key city events and participate in administrative decision-making that fosters mutual cooperation between Seoul and its diverse community of global citizens. END

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November 17, 2025
PH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON JAPANESE AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL

Seoul, 4 November 2025 — Philippine Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez paid a courtesy call on H.E. Koichi Mizushima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Korea. The two Ambassadors exchanged views on recent APEC engagements in the ROK and efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation among like-minded partners in support of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Mizushima also recalled his fond memories of his earlier posting in Manila as a young diplomat. The meeting underscored the warm relations between the Philippines and Japan, and our shared commitment to advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity. END

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November 13, 2025
PRESIDENT MARCOS HONORS FILIPINO KOREAN WAR VETERANS AT THE UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA

Busan, Republic of Korea - H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, paid tribute to the valor and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers who served in the Korean War (1950–1953) during a solemn visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) in Busan on 2 November 2025. President Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, was received by Ambassador SUH Jeong-in, Custodian of the UNMCK. Also in attendance were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office Dave O. Gomez, and Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez. Representing the Government of the Republic of Korea was Minister Kwon Oh-eul of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA). At the Philippine marker within the cemetery grounds, President Marcos laid a wreath and offered prayers in honor of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who served under the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK). The President paid special tribute to the 116 Filipino servicemen who gave their lives in the line of duty, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean and United Nations comrades in defense of peace, freedom, and democracy. The President also visited the Wall of Remembrance, where he read the names of the fallen Filipino PEFTOK heroes, some of whom hailed from his own hometown, before bowing his head in silent reflection. In the UNMCK guest book, President Marcos wrote:“We honour the Filipino soldiers of PEFTOK who valiantly fought and died shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean comrades for freedom and democracy. Let us honour their legacy with lives that hold these principles still true. Mabuhay!” Following the ceremony, President Marcos and the First Lady participated in a ceremonial tree-planting at the Garden of the Heads of State, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and the lasting peace and solidarity forged through shared sacrifice. The visit reaffirmed the Philippines’ enduring commitment to peace, democracy, and international solidarity. It also underscored the shared history and steadfast friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, forged in the crucible of war and strengthened by a common dedication to peace and prosperity. The Philippines was among the first countries to send troops to the Korean Peninsula in 1950, deploying five battalion combat teams under PEFTOK as part of the United Nations Command. The courage and sacrifice of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers remain a proud testament to the Philippines’ unwavering contribution to global peace and security. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea is the only UN-designated memorial cemetery in the world and serves as the final resting place for over 2,300 soldiers from 14 nations who fought under the UN Command during the Korean War. The Philippines’ participation and continuing remembrance reflect the depth of the two nations’ historical ties and their mutual commitment to the values of democracy and peace. END

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November 11, 2025
PH AMBASSADOR RECEIVES ROK CANDIDATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE, JUDGE JIN HYUN PAIK

SEOUL, 6 November 2025 — Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez received Judge Jin Hyun Paik, the Republic of Korea’s candidate to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term, during a courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

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