Koreans now comprise 20% of tourists visiting RP

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — A South Korean official said the growing friendship between Korea and the Philippines has encouraged more Korean investors and tourists to visit and invest in the country, particularly in Subic.

“Korean tourists now compose about 20 percent of those visiting the Philippines and this number is still rising,” said South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hye Min.

Min said Korean investors have expressed a strong desire to invest in the Philippines.

Min, accompanied by South Korean Economic Councilor Muyoungjoon Kim, visited on Thursday Subic Bay Freeport for the first time and was welcomed by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.

He said during the meeting that the economic relationship between South Korea and the Philippines has developed significantly after Korean shipbuilding giant Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. (HHIC) established its shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport in 2006.

“It is the landmark of our friendship,” the ambassador said, referring to the Hanjin investment project that now employs about 18,600 workers.

The ambassador also expressed his wish that the Korean shipyard in Subic, now the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world, will continue to prosper with the Philippine government’s help.

At the same time, the Korean envoy lauded the SBMA for preserving the good natural environment of Subic and maintaining “exceptional peace and order” that are now attracting tourists and investors, especially Koreans.

“Koreans are concerned most about their security, but they are content with what you have in Subic Bay. Because of this, there are many economic opportunities that await the Philippines from our investors, tourists and students,” said Min.

Salonga told the ambassador that Filipinos are learning to work well with Koreans.

“While you are bringing in investors and tourists to Subic, we provide you with quality service and the best manpower in the region,” Salonga also said.

Arreza told Min that there are now 183 Korean companies located in the Subic Freeport, including seven language schools whose Korean teaching staff and students now enjoy the safe environment and well-maintained peace and order.

Arreza added that aside from Hanjin, which is currently developing the second phase of its Subic shipyard with an additional $500-million investment, three more major Korean projects have been lined up for construction.