EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PH TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA G. FRASCO BRINGS "LOVE THE PHILIPPINES" CAMPAIGN TO PH'S TOP TOURISM MARKET IN KOREA

[Above photo] Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco delivers presentation with Korean media partners on 08 May 2024 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. [Below Right photo] Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers the opening remarks during the press conference.

22 May 2024, Seoul. Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco visited Korea from 7-9 May 2024 to bring the "Love the Philippines" campaign to the country's number one tourism source country, Korea.

During her visit, Secretary Frasco met with Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yu In Chon. The Ministers discussed continuing Philippines-Korea cooperation under the PH-ROK MOU on Tourism Cooperation. Secretary Frasco likewise expressed appreciation to Korea for being the top source of international visitors to the Philippines. She also shared with Minister Yu the ongoing initiatives of the government to make travel to the Philippines more seamless and more enjoyable. Secretary Frasco conveyed an invitation to Minister Yu to attend the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA) and the First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific to be held from 26-28 June 2024 in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco with House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco D. Frasco graced the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Travel Fairs (SITF) and joined Ministers and other senior officials from participating countries in a "Gimbap rolling" (traditional Korean rice and seaweed roll) to mark the opening of the SITF on 9 May 2024. Secretary Frasco also visited the Philippine Tourism Pavilion at the SITF as well as a special pavilion of Coron, Palawan.

SOT Frasco delivered a featured presentation and talk at the World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) likewise held on 09 May. She spoke on the global tourism recovery outlook, the current state of Philippine tourism and the recovery from the pandemic era, and the rising importance of gastronomy tourism not only regionally but globally. She likewise extended an invitation to all the participants to the forthcoming UN Tourism Regional Forum in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco likewise conducted a briefing for key media partners of the Philippines and a listening and consultative session with partners in the travel and tourism sector of Korea including major airline companies, travel operators, and travel associations in Korea.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DOT Undersecretary-OIC Esmeralda Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno, and DOT Director in Korea Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo assisted Secretary Frasco in her engagements.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed a total of 1,439,336 arrivals from South Korea or a total of 26.50% of the Philippines' overall tourist market share. END

Other News

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

Read More
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

Read More
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.

Read More
VIEW ALL

© 2024 Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Seoul Republic of Korea. All rights reserved.

Powered by: