Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines

The Philippines is a long-time partner of the Republic of Korea. A year after establishing diplomatic relations with the ROK on 3rd March 1949, the Philippines dispatched around 7,400 soldiers to join the United Nations Command in defending the freedom and sovereignty of the ROK during the Korean War. Since then, the two countries have been on a journey of friendship for more than seventy years and have enhanced cooperation in various fields, including political affairs, economy, culture, education, and people-to-people exchange.

These ties were strengthened as the two countries agreed in 2003 to closely work together for future-oriented and comprehensive cooperation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two republics reassured relationships as true friends overcoming the crisis together. The ROK is the 4th largest trade partner of the Philippines as of 2022 and looks forward to the signing of the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was concluded in 2021. Hallyu, the Korean wave, has already become a part of the lives of most Filipinos, and vigorous exchanges through various opportunities such as the Korean government's Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) programs and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) training programs are forming a strong foundation for bilateral relations.

With both leaders, President Yoon Suk Yeol and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., having been elected in 2022, the two governments are further strengthening existing cooperation in various areas, while preparing for elevating our relations to strategic partnership by reflecting the evolving diplomatic agenda, such as climate change, infectious diseases, and unstable international situations. During the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits in November 2022, President Yoon and President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed a consensus on strengthening practical cooperation in political affairs, economy, infrastructure, defense, and energy, among other areas.

Our two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines has been on the journey of developing bilateral relations for more than a half century, and will continue to spare no effort to further this relationship. In particular, through the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), which is a core component of Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy, we will endeavor to develop wider and deeper practical cooperation with the Philippines, a founding member of ASEAN. To this end, we are also looking forward to your continued cooperation and support.

Maraming salamat po!