South Korea National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo official visit from July 23-25 was a resounding success despite the short visit.
On day 1, July 24, Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met with his counterpart Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Romualdez and received House Resolution 1126.
The House Resolution expresses strong support and solidarity of the Philippines with the Republic of Korea in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27. It recognizes the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea that started way before the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953.
After his meeting with Speaker Romualdez, a banquet meeting with some overseas Koreans and some executives of Korean companies in the Philippines was held and then the wreath-laying of Speaker Kim Jin-pyo at Korean War Memorial.
Other highlight of his visit are as follows including the key messages from his schedule:
- FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. Both Speaker agrees to ratify the Free Trade Agreement between Korea and the Philippines as soon as possible
- MINERALS EXPORT. Speaker Kim mentioned that the Philippines is rich in nickel and copper to which House Speaker Romualdez expressed how these minerals actually have low export value unless it goes through processing.
- NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. Speaker Kim said, “Clean energy is needed to advance the mining and manufacturing industries…”Nuclear power plants are also promising to cooperate”
- DEFENSE. Speaker Kim said, “Let’s strengthen defense cooperation through weapon system development and technical support, etc.”
- 2030 BUSAN EXPO. Speaker Kim requests the Philippines to support the Busan Expo.
- HOUSE RESOLUTION 93. House of Representatives unanimously passed the 70th Anniversary Resolution of the Armistice Agreement in time for Speaker Kim’s visit to the House of Representatives.
- DURING THE WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY (1). Speaker Kim mentioned that “the Philippines is a country that dispatched the largest number of soldiers among ASEAN nations (during the Korean War).” “Let’s continue to have various types of joint operations in the future, and strengthen the military capabilities of the two countries through cooperation in developing weapons systems and defense cooperation,” he added.
- DURING THE WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY (2). Philippine Army Chief of Staff Potenciano Camba, who was also present at the ceremony, said “I would like to express my special gratitude for the dispatch of Korea’s disaster recovery team ‘Araw Unit’ when Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ hit the Philippines in 2013. Unlike other countries’ units that returned after a month or two of recovery support, the ‘Araw Unit’ stayed for a year to provide hospital recovery, school and bridge construction, and education. It really touched the hearts of the Filipinos”.
- BANQUET MEETING WITH OVERSEAS KOREANS. After meeting with House Speaker Romualdez, Speaker Kim invited representatives of overseas Koreans in Manila over dinner where they had talks about their experience and difficulties in which Speaker Kim comforted them.
