Ex-Korean leader to facilitate pact between Cebu, Gyeongsanguam-do

CEBU, Philippines - Former Republic of Korea President Kim Young Sam has offered to facilitate a sisterhood agreement between Cebu Province and the province of Gyeongsanguam-do in Korea.

The offer is stipulated in a letter Garcia received from Yoon Ji Hyun, president of Kopino Children Foundation, Inc., a foundation that looks after the welfare of children of male Koreans born to Filipino women. Yoon personally handed the letter to Garcia.

In the letter, Kim also expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality and attention the provincial government gave him and his wife during their recent visit to Cebu.

“The visit was particularly memorable as it was especially aimed to comfort and encourage Kopino children while my wife and I enjoyed our belated honeymoon to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary,” the letter reads. 

Kim also expressed appreciation over the reception dinner the provincial government hosted in his honor, as well as the “warmth and hospitality of the people of Cebu and the beauty of the natural environment.”

Yoon told the governor that Kim had instructed him to express his “earnest desire” to foster a sisterhood relationship between Cebu and Gyeongsanguam-do. Kim even invited Garcia to a meeting at his private residence in Sangdo-dong, Seoul.

Garcia has accepted the offer.

“The more sisterhood ties that we have the more doors we open for tourism linkages and more importantly investment opportunities,” Garcia said.

Gyeongsanguam-do is third to Seoul and Busan in terms of export in the entire Korea and has a shipbuilding facility like the one in Balamban, Cebu.

Cebu has an existing sisterhood agreement with the Province of Gangwon, South Korea.

Garcia said the provincial government is willing to help the Kopino Children Foundation in Cebu, but Capitol would need to study the foundation well to determine the specific assistance it can provide.

Yoon said he will channel his discussions with Garcia upon his return to South Korea. —(FREEMAN)