Phl, S. Korea ink agreement

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) chair Sec. Imelda Nicolas and South Korea’s Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Kum-lae signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in developing capacities for the resettlement and adaptation of Filipino marriage immigrants and promoting the empowerment of immigrant women. Also present were Director In Sook Kang, Consul General Sylvia Marasigan and Cherry Joy Veniles. 

“Both the Philippines and Korea see the integration of Filipino marriage migrants into Korean society as a way to ensure the protection of their human rights and to support their empowerment. This agreement demonstrates the strong partnership between our nations and emphasizes our joint commitment to address this growing challenge,” said Nicolas.

Since 1989, about 10,000 Filipinos have attended the CFO’s Guidance and Counseling Program for Filipinos marrying Korean nationals. They represent the growing number of intercultural marriages in Korea that have, in recent times, grown to about 120,000 based on a Chosun Ilbo (Korean Times) survey in 2010.