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PHILIPPINES JOINS ACTIVITIES IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR; PAYS TRIBUTE TO PEFTOK

Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega (Upper left photo, in blue) is joined by the descendants of Korean War veterans at the commemorative ceremony for the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War held at the Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on 25 June 2023. (Upper right photo) Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. delivers a special message in the commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Korean War at the Korean War Monument in Goyang City on 25 June 2023. Ambassador Dizon-de Vega (Lower left, 3rd from R) and PH Embassy officials with the representatives of the Korea Focus Institute and Best Advance Society. (Lower left) Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. (3rd from R) and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Enriqueto Deocadez Jr. (2nd from L) are joined by Goyang City Mayor Lee Dong-Hwan (2nd from R), Goyang City Vice Mayor Park Won-Seok (3rd from L) in a photo opportunity.

SEOUL-The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is one with the Republic of Korea in commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega attended the commemorative ceremony for the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War hosted by the ROK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs that was held at the Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on 25 June 2023.

The event was attended by Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, Minister of Defense Lee Jong Sup, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Minshik, Minister of Justice Han Doong Hoon, representatives of the UN Sending States, veterans of the Korean War, and their descendants. At the end of the event, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega joined descendants of Filipino veterans of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) who are taking part in a camp organized by the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

On 23 June 2023, Ambassador Dizon-de Vega with other Philippine Embassy officials attended the 8th Annual Ceremony of the UN Allied Countries Flag Garden in commemoration of the Korean War. In her remarks the Ambassador paid tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives to the efforts to defend democracy on the Korean Peninsula. She likewise congratulated the Best Advance Society and Korea Focus Institute which established the flag garden for their continuing tribute to the countries who helped in the Korean War. The civic groups are composed of mainly of Yonsei University faculty and alumni.

Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Enriqueto Deocadez Jr. also attended the commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Korean War hosted by the Goyang Special Administrative City at the Korean War Memorial in Gwansan-dong, Deokyang-gu on 25 June 2023. Goyang City is home to a large Korean moment built in honor of the Filipino soldiers who served during the Korean War.

During the solemn activity, Minister and Consul General Israel Jr. offered flowers and lit incense, and in his message, expressed appreciation and respect to the sacrifices made by the war veterans.

It is important for the Philippines to continue to honor the valor and sacrifice of the 7,420 Filipino officers who served under the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK). Our Filipino soldiers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Korean military personnel and soldiers from other countries to valiantly fight for freedom and democracy during the 1950 Korean War. Our shared sacrifices during the war paved the way for the deep, historic, and dynamic partnership the Philippines and the

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