28 February 2020 – The Makati Business Club organized a meeting with South Korean Ambassador Han Dong Man to dissect Philippine-Korea Bilateral relations and explore potential areas for further collaboration. AIM Dado Banatao Incubator is the venue partner of MBC for this event.

Ambassador Han presented a well-rounded overview of our ties, which encapsulated 70 years of dynamic cooperation in trade and investment, defense and security, development assistance, and cultural exchanges.

The discussion featured developments in the Philippine-Korean Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to be finalized this year. Ambassador Han noted that the FTA will not only open bigger opportunities for innovation and infrastructure, but it will also benefit the Philippine agricultural sector by reducing tariffs on bananas and other fruit products.

The significant impact of Korean culture (Hallyu) was also covered during the meeting. Special guest Jincheol Lee, Director of the Korean Culture Center, shared that Korean culture should “not be limited to KPop and KDramas, but should also include traditional art and practices”.

Highlighting the Korean Government’s New Southern Policy (NSP), Ambassador Han expressed that Korea’s policy paradigm that elevates relations with ASEAN member states will greatly contribute to providing a “Win-Win Solution” for the Philippines and Korea in the near future.