MANILA, Philippines – The Korean Government is making sure all foreign workers, including Filipinos, are safe and respected while working in the country, in light of the situation in the Middle East.
In his congratulatory remarks during the Republic of Korea (ROK) – Philippines Friendship Week on Labor Cooperation, held in Manila on Tuesday, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa said that Filipinos working in Korea have shown “dedication” and “diligence”, which contributed to the good image of the Philippines in Korean society.
According to Lee, the event also served as a meaningful follow-up to President Lee Jae Myung’s recent State Visit to the Philippines last March 3 to 4, 2026, providing an opportunity to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and broaden the foundation of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Friendship Week was organized to commemorate more than two decades of cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines in the field of labor since the introduction of Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) in 2004, the Korean Embassy in Manila said.
The Philippines was the first country to dispatch workers to Korea under the EPS in August 2004, and has sent more than 100,000 workers cumulatively to date, the Embassy added.
Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949, ROK–Philippines relations have developed into a multi-layered partnership that benefits the peoples of both countries.
He also noted that the more than 70,000 Filipino workers currently employed in various sectors in Korea, including manufacturing and agriculture, serve as bridges of friendship between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines.
The Friendship Week event was held at the DMW main office, attended by approximately 300 participants, including government officials from both countries and Filipino migrant workers.
“The Korean Government will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Philippine Government, including the Department of Migrant Workers, in order to further expand labor cooperation, which remains one of the key pillars of bilateral relations,” the Embassy stated.
