SEOUL, 23 July 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Chief of Protocol Choi Jong-hyun at the latter’s office on Wednesday, 23 July 2014 in preparation for his presentation of credentials to President Park Geun-hye at the presidential Blue House in early August 2014

Ambassador Hernandez spoke of his mandate to further improve the Philippines’ relations with Korea, which are now marking their 65th year. In turn, Mr Choi welcomed Ambassador Hernandez to Korea and reassured him of his office’s readiness to extend any assistance during his posting. Ambassador Hernandez arrived on 28 May to take up his first posting as ambassador to one of the Philippines’ most important partners, the Republic of Korea. Prior to meeting with President Park, Ambassador Hernandez has been able to meet, consistent with protocol, several members of the Korean Cabinet and the National Assembly. Prior to Korea, Ambassador Hernandez had held various positions in diplomatic and consular missions in China, Canada and Hague, Netherlands. Following a successful stint as DFA spokesperson, he was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III on 20 January 2014 and confirmed by the Commission of Appointments on 12 March 2014. Following the establishment of relations on 3 March 1949, the Philippines and Korea were only able to establish diplomatic missions following the Korean War armistice in 1953. South Korea sent H.E. Kim Yong-Ki as its first Ambassador to the Philippines on 19 January 1954 while the Philippines established a legation in Seoul headed by Minister Tomas de Castro on 11 May 1954. The Philippine Embassy was established four years later on 25 July 1958 under H.E. Eduardo T. Quintero.