The safety and security of Korean nationals in Region 7 is the topmost concern of consul Sung Yong Oh, aside from promoting better relationships with Dumaguete City and the province of Negros Oriental.
Sung made quick visits to the City and the Province on Wednesday to reiterate his government’s desire to further promote mutual relationships with the Philippines in the field of culture, tourism and the economy.
Of the 1.5 million Korean tourists who came to the Philippines last year, about 9,000 were in Region 7 and about 600 are Dumaguete.
With this number, the Korean Consul General said the consulate in Cebu would like to network with the local government units in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental for the safety of its nationals after an incident in June and in October involving Korean nationals.
The Korean official noted the Philippines’ natural resources, the best scuba diving sites, the white sandy beaches, while their Korean students learning to speak good English.
Korean nationals in Dumaguete are mostly students, followed by pastors and missionaries.
In an interview, the Consul General stressed the need for all countries and allies in the Region to unite and continue the pressure to make North Korea give up their nuclear arsenals and to stop provoking neighboring countries in Asia.
The Philippines and South Korea have enjoyed long years of friendship since the Korean civil war in the 1950s.
In his message before local officials and employees, Consul Sung recalled the participation of 7,000 Filipino soldiers in the Korean war, where they shared hardship and shed blood alongside the Korean army.
He said the South Korean government will never forget the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers including the veterans and that they became one of the largest economies partly because of that sacrifices. (Juancho Gallarde/PNA)