(Eagle News) — Malacanang thanked the government of South Korea on Monday for its decision to relax the visa requirements for Filipinos who want to visit the country, as part of its goodwill in celebrating the 70th year of Philippine-Korean diplomatic ties.
“The Palace appreciates the kind words of ROK (Republic of Korea) Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man when he announced that his country will start moderating visa requirements, as well as relaxing their application processes, among others, in favor of Filipinos,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man said that qualified Filipinos, including those from the business sector, media and the government, would be given at least five years or even 10 years multiple-entry visas.
He said that the number of documents needed for visa applications of qualified personnel would also be cut down.
The ambassador said that the Philippines is the only country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which had been given such a privilege.
“For qualified people such the business people, media people of course, and government officers, we give them a multiple visa at least five years or 10 years with one single document saying that I’m working in this company,” Han said.
“Any Filipino for visit to Korea (will be) entitled to get multiple-entry visa. Among the ASEAN countries, Philippines only is the country to be allowed of multiple-entry visa,” he noted.
Ambassador Han said that many Koreans also love the Philippines which he said was the reasons that more than a million of his countrymen visit the Philippines.
“In particular, the Filipinos are very friendly and very hospitable. That’s why 1.6 million Koreans visited this wonderful country,” Han said on Sunday during the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and South Korea.
“We are encouraging people-to-people exchange, not only tourists but also students. So we are inviting many Korean students to study in the Philippines, and also we are inviting many qualified, talented Filipinos, in particular, university students to get scholarship,” Han said.
The Philippines is the first among the ASEAN nations to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea.
“Both countries have shared history, a brotherhood forged in blood when together we fought in defense of freedom and democracy in the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War,” Panelo said.
The Republic of Korea is currently the Philippines’ seventh largest trading partner, and the fifth largest official development assistance (ODA) partner, he said.
The country is also “one of our foremost defense and security partners and top tourist sources,” he said.
Panelo also hailed the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Korea diplomatic relations.
“Happy anniversary and may our two countries further progress as we maintain a strong partnership beneficial to our citizens,” he said.
“South Korea remains our steady partner and true friend even as we scale new heights in our diplomatic relations,” he added.
The bilateral relations between the Philippines and South Korea started on March 3, 1949.
