SoKor envoy vows to bring in more tourists to PH

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gives a warm welcome to the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Han Dong-Man who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on November 18, 2019. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — South Koreans are currently the top tourism market for the Philippines, but its envoy on Tuesday promised to bring in even more.

South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man bared that he made this promise when he paid a courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Monday.

“Last year, around 1.6 million Korean tourists visited this wonderful country, so I made a promise to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to bring up two million Korean tourists during my term,” Han said in a Virtual Presser organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Office of Global Media Affairs on Tuesday.

In turn, Han asked the President to ensure that South Korean tourists remain safe while traveling around the country.

“When I met him, I promised to bring two million Korean tourists, and I also asked him to secure the safety and security of our Korean nationals,” Han said.

Han emphasized he was “very happy” to witness “the dropping crime rate” under Duterte’s strong leadership.

The envoy also estimated that more than 500,000 Filipinos will be visiting Korea this year, compared to last year’s 450,000 visitors.

He said he had simplified the visa process by issuing five to 10-year multiple visas so that it would facilitate people-to-people exchange.

Korea Town

Meanwhile, Han said the growing popularity of Korean pop, drama, food, and other products in the Philippines may soon give rise to a Korea Town in Malate, Manila.

“In Manila, in particular in the Malate area there are many Korean restaurants and many Korean tourists visit there. So, with Manila city, we are envisioning to make Malate area as a Korea town,” Han said.

Han said the Korean Town would be a project of the Korea Retailers Association and the Manila City government.

No time has been finalized yet, but Han said that he has already spoken to Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno who gave his support.

“No timeline, so when I met the mayor of Manila city, I asked also him to render his full support to make Malate area a Korea town,” he added.

Han also described as “wonderful” his relationship with Philippine universities such as the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila, which provide Korea language programs to help improve Philippine-Korea ties.

Duterte and Han’s meeting came before the President’s scheduled visit to South Korea to participate in the commemorative summit between Southeast Asian leaders and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Busan from November 25 to 27.

This year, the Philippines and Korea celebrate their 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.