Seoul launches center seen to hike Korean tourists in RP

MANILA, Philippines - Seoul recently launched the Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) Centre in the Korean capital, an establishment expected to encourage Koreans to visit the Philippines. Located at the Korean Press Center building in the country’s capital, the center is also expected to “facilitate the establishment of businesses by Koreans who have been to the Philippines," said Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz who attended the launch. Launched on March 13, the center is an inter-governmental organization between Seoul and 10-member countries of the Asean, helping increase trade, accelerate investment flow, invigorate tourism, and enrich cultural exchanges, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Moreover, it will also serve as a window for providing business and investment information about ASEAN economies to Korean businesses. The ASEAN-ROK Centre will play a pivotal role in building an even greater partnership between ASEAN and ROK," Ambassador Cho Young-jai, Secretary-General of the Centre, said. "The establishment of the center highlights the growing partnership between ASEAN and Korea, which is expected to gain even more importance in the coming years," said Cho. More than 3.5 million Koreans visit the ASEAN region annually, which has become one of our major socio-economic partners, he added. Some 200 dignitaries and media people attended the opening ceremony including South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, South Korean foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan, Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya, Malaysian deputy foreign minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri and ASEAN deputy secretary-general Sayakane Sisouvong. As part of the activities during the inauguration of the Centre, a special exhibition was opened to the public presenting culturally inspired products from the ten ASEAN member countries and Korea. Several Philippine products were among those displayed including various designs showing the Filipino furniture-designers' creativity and ingenuity. The Center’s establishment stemmed from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Leaders of Asean and ROK during the 11th ASEAN-Korea Summit in Singapore in November 2007. - GMANews.TV